Uganda’s bitter battle over who controls the country’s Hajj pilgrimage has exploded once again, setting the stage for another showdown that could determine the fate of thousands of Muslims planning to travel to Makkah in 2027.
Months after the 2026 Hajj season descended into confusion—with hundreds of pilgrims left stranded, delayed, or unable to travel despite paying millions of shillings—top Muslim leaders are demanding that the government strip the Uganda Bureau of Hajj Affairs (UBHA) of its mandate and hand it to the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC).
The renewed fight erupted during a thanksgiving ceremony organised by Makkah Madinah Hajj and Umrah Services in Kira, Wakiso District.
Deputy Mufti Sheikh Muhammad Ali Waiswa questioned why the government had failed to implement an earlier proposal to place Hajj affairs under UMSC despite previous engagements.
Waiswa argued that the current system had failed Ugandan pilgrims, alleging that some Hajj visas ended up in the hands of non-Ugandans while genuine Ugandans who had fully paid for the sacred journey were left behind.
He also repeated controversial claims that non-Muslims had travelled to Makkah under Uganda’s Hajj arrangements—allegations that UBHA has consistently denied.
His remarks were reinforced by Second Deputy Mufti Sheikh Muhammad Hafidh Bukenya, who blamed this year’s Hajj chaos on deep administrative failures rather than individual tour operators.
Bukenya insisted that transferring Hajj management to UMSC would restore order, improve accountability, and spare pilgrims from the uncertainty witnessed this year.
2026 HAJJ CHAOS STILL HAUNTS PILGRIMS
The fresh row comes against the backdrop of one of Uganda’s most chaotic Hajj preparations in recent years.
In January, Mufti Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje announced that UMSC would take over coordination of Uganda’s Hajj operations after securing support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
However, Saudi authorities did not recognise the proposed changes before the pilgrimage season because Hajj administration operates under strict country-specific arrangements approved by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The result was confusion, anxiety, and heartbreak.
Hundreds of Ugandan pilgrims waited until the last minute for visas, while others missed the pilgrimage altogether despite completing payments.
With preparations for Hajj 2027 expected to begin soon, Muslim leaders are now warning that the government must settle the dispute early or risk another embarrassing repeat.
Representing Third Deputy Prime Minister Rukia Nakadama, Presidential Advisor on Awards Hajjat Zamina Malole pledged to follow up the matter with the government to establish why the proposed reforms have stalled.
‘PRODUCE EVIDENCE!’ UBHA FIRES BACK
But UBHA was quick to hit back.
Chairperson Sheikh Zakaliya Kyewalyanga dismissed the allegations as baseless and challenged critics to prove their claims.
He revealed that the bureau has long offered a US$1,000 reward to anyone who can produce credible evidence that UBHA allocated Hajj visas to non-Ugandans.
According to Kyewalyanga, no one has ever claimed the reward.
He also dismissed allegations that non-Muslims travelled to Makkah through Uganda’s official Hajj programme, saying the widely reported incident involved a traveller who used a private visit visa obtained outside Uganda’s official Hajj arrangements.
UBHA SHOWS OFF NEW HOME
Even as the leadership wrangle rages, UBHA has unveiled its first permanent headquarters in Kawempe-Mbogo.
The property, sitting on 24 decimals of land, was purchased using savings contributed by member Hajj operators over several years.
Kyewalyanga described the new headquarters as proof that the bureau is growing stronger institutionally and remains committed to serving Ugandan pilgrims.
He also warned Hajj operators to strictly observe deadlines issued by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, saying the Kingdom will no longer extend timelines once they are announced.
The bureau is now seeking a wider mandate to regulate Umrah services after receiving growing complaints against some tour operators accused of collecting money from pilgrims but failing to deliver the promised services.
UBHA Secretary General Sheikh Hussein Bogere said the bureau frequently receives distress complaints from Umrah travellers but lacks the legal authority to intervene effectively.
He disclosed that Saudi authorities have previously sought UBHA’s assistance in handling cases involving Ugandan pilgrims, including deaths during Umrah.
