UMSC ASSURES LICENSED HAJ COMPANIES OF CONTINUED COLLABORATION

The Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) has assured all licensed Haj and Umrah companies of continued collaboration, affirming that there is no intention to stop them from offering Haj services to intending Muslim pilgrims seeking to fulfill the fifth pillar of Islam in the Holy City of Makkah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

His Eminence Dr. Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, the Mufti of Uganda, made the assurance while addressing officers from eleven licensed Haj companies during a crucial meeting held at the UMSC Headquarters Boardroom on Friday, January 23, 2026. The meeting took place shortly before the Mufti departed for Bugiri District to attend the burial of the late elder Sheikh Ishaaq Yusuf Naminya.

In his address, the Mufti reflected on the established Haj management process since he assumed office in 2000. He explained that all licensed Haj companies were required to submit consolidated lists of pilgrims to UMSC, which would then be forwarded to Saudi authorities for visa processing. This, he noted, was in accordance with Saudi protocol that Haj affairs be coordinated through officially recognized Muslim bodies, a role UMSC fulfills in Uganda.

While acknowledging that Haj companies offer essential religious services, the Mufti observed that Haj operations also became a source of livelihood for individuals involved. Citing Qur’anic guidance, he emphasized that Islam permits pilgrims to engage in lawful trade after completing their rituals. He clarified that his office did not interfere with Haj companies but instead guided the UMSC Haj office to ensure proper coordination of the pilgrimage.

However, the Mufti revealed that significant changes later occurred without his knowledge. Haj companies formed a federation, followed by the emergence of a private entity, the Uganda Bureau of Haj Affairs (UBHA), owned by three directors, which claimed to have taken charge of Haj affairs. He stated that information about the Bureau’s operations was only conveyed verbally, with no formal written communication submitted to UMSC.

Subsequently, the Mufti said he heard public claims from the Bureau alleging that Saudi authorities were continually increasing Haj costs, including accommodation, meals, and animal sacrifice fees. When he sought accountability regarding funds remitted to the Bureau from Sheikh Ali Juma Shiwuyu, UMSC Secretary for Haj, he was informed that communications had been purely verbal.

At the same time, serious complaints began to surface, including allegations of pilgrim exploitation, drug trafficking by individuals posing as pilgrims, non-Muslims traveling to Makkah, and Haj visas being sold to non-Ugandans. “In short, the Haj had turned into an illegal business venture, losing its religious sanctity and enriching a few individuals,” the Mufti noted.

He explained that UMSC initially delayed action due to other pressing institutional challenges. However, a later internal investigation uncovered gross mismanagement, corruption, and theft. Efforts to engage UBHA proved unsuccessful, prompting UMSC to involve the Government of Uganda. The government responded by nullifying UBHA’s false claims of operating under UMSC authority.

In his concluding remarks, Mufti Mubaje called upon all licensed Haj companies to work closely with UMSC, emphasizing dialogue, mutual understanding, and cooperation as the Council resumes full management of Haj affairs. He said the objective is to streamline costs and enable more Ugandan Muslims to perform Haj with dignity and without unnecessary obstacles.

A second session of the meeting, chaired by His Eminence Dr. Sheikh Hafiz Muhammad Harunah Bukenya, the 2nd Deputy Mufti, adopted several resolutions aimed at strengthening mutual respect, shared responsibility, professionalism, and integrity among all stakeholders involved in Haj operations.

Muslim Channel – Media & Beyond