His Eminence Dr. Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, the Mufti of Uganda, has reassured all licensed Haj and Umrah companies that the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) has no intention of stopping them from offering Haj services to intending Muslim pilgrims planning to fulfill the fifth pillar of Islam—the Haj pilgrimage to the Holy City of Makkah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The Mufti made these remarks during a brief but moving address to officers of eleven Haj companies who accepted his invitation to a crucial meeting held in the Boardroom at UMSC Headquarters on the mid-morning of Friday, January 23, 2026, shortly before he left for the burial of elder Sheikh Ishaaq Yusuf Naminya in Bugiri.
Addressing the attentive participants, the Mufti explained that when he assumed office in 2000, the established process required all licensed Haj companies to submit compiled lists of pilgrims to UMSC, which then presented them to Saudi authorities for visa issuance. “It was done in line with Saudi protocol that Haj affairs should be managed by officially recognized Muslim bodies, especially in countries like Uganda, where the UMSC serves this role,” he said.
He noted, however, that while Haj companies provided religious services to Muslim faithful, the operations also became a source of income for individuals running them. Quoting several Quranic verses, he emphasized that Allah permits pilgrims to engage in trade after completing their rituals. “I did not interfere but advised the UMSC Haj office to ensure the Haj was well coordinated,” Mufti Mubaje said.
The Mufti further revealed that changes occurred without his knowledge. Haj companies formed a federation, and later a private firm known as the Uganda Bureau of Haj Affairs (UBHA), owned by three directors, claimed to take charge. “I was verbally briefed about their operations, but there were no written communications,” he stated. He continued hearing public claims from the Bureau that Saudi authorities kept increasing Haj fees, including for accommodation, meals, and animal sacrifice.
Mufti Mubaje added that when he inquired with Sheikh Ali Juma Shiwuyu, UMSC Secretary for Haj, about receipts for funds remitted to the Bureau, he was told the communication was verbal. Meanwhile, complaints arose about cheating of pilgrims, drug trafficking by some Ugandans posing as pilgrims, non-Muslims traveling to Makkah, and 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,” he said.
The Mufti explained that the UMSC did not react immediately due to other pressing challenges. Later, a small investigative team uncovered gross mismanagement, corruption, and theft. In response, the UMSC engaged with UBHA, which refused cooperation, and then reached out to the Ugandan government. The government responded positively, canceling UBHA’s false claims of operating under the UMSC.
He concluded by urging Haj companies to work closely with UMSC to foster understanding and cooperation as the Council takes over the management of Haj affairs, aiming to streamline costs and enable more Ugandan Muslims to perform Haj without hindrance.
The second session, chaired by His Eminence Dr. Sheikh Hafiz Muhammad Harunah Bukenya, 2nd Deputy Mufti, resulted in several resolutions promoting mutual respect, shared responsibilities, professionalism, and integrity.
