President Yoweri Museveni has praised Ugandan Muslims who recently completed the Hajj pilgrimage, describing the journey to Mecca as a milestone in fulfilling a key pillar of their faith.
On Saturday, the President hosted a luncheon at State House Entebbe for the group of pilgrims who were sponsored by his government to travel to Saudi Arabia.
Museveni congratulated the faithful for completing the sacred obligation, which is regarded in Islam as the fifth pillar of the religion.
“I would like to congratulate the graduates who have completed their pilgrimage and fulfilled the fifth pillar of Islam,” Museveni wrote on his official X account after the event.
The President noted that the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government remains committed to supporting Ugandan Muslims who cannot afford the cost of the pilgrimage.
He emphasized that the initiative should continue to open doors for more believers to experience the Hajj.
At the same time, Museveni called on Muslim leaders to design a fair system of selection to avoid rivalry among those seeking sponsorship.
“The leaders should develop a plan that eliminates competition while ensuring fairness in the selection process,” he said.
The government’s sponsorship of Hajj pilgrims has in recent years drawn mixed reactions, with supporters hailing it as a gesture of inclusivity while critics argue that it should be left to religious institutions.
Uganda’s Muslim community makes up about 14 percent of the population, and many faithful view the Hajj as a once-in-a-lifetime journey.
The luncheon in Entebbe was seen as both a celebration of the successful pilgrims and a reaffirmation of government support to the community.