His Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has pledged to support mosque Imams by enabling them to establish Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations (Saccos).
The President promised to provide an initial capital of UGX 30 billion in the coming financial year. Under this arrangement, Imams and Muslim women mosque leaders (Amirats) in each district will register and receive UGX 100 million Shillings each to start their respective Saccos.
The announcement was delivered on the President’s behalf by Mr. Moses Byaruhanga, the Presidential Advisor on Poverty Alleviation, during his keynote address at the send-off ceremony for Ugandan pilgrims sponsored by the President to perform Umrah—the lesser pilgrimage to the Holy City of Makkah, Saudi Arabia. The event took place on Friday, August 22, 2025, at the UMSC Headquarters Conference Hall in Old Kampala, ahead of the *Juma* congregational prayers at the National Mosque.
A total of 21 Ugandans are part of the 100 pilgrims under presidential sponsorship. They had earlier missed performing Hajj due to delays in securing visas from Saudi authorities two months ago.
Mr. Byaruhanga explained that when the President learned of their plight, he decided to compensate them by sponsoring both the Umrah pilgrimage this year and a full Hajj pilgrimage in 2026.
He further emphasized that President Museveni’s generosity reflects his wish for Ugandans to benefit from inclusive programs that uplift their daily lives. He thanked the UMSC leadership for selecting both male and female pilgrims from across the country, adding that such sponsorships will continue annually.
On the issue of Imams, Mr. Byaruhanga noted that the President had been briefed on their plight, as they often provide voluntary spiritual services without pay. “He therefore decided to support Imams and Muslim women mosque leaders by funding Saccos that will allow them to access interest-free loans to boost their household incomes,” he said.
Earlier, Hon. Haji Abbas Muluubya Ssekyanzi, the UMSC Secretary General, welcomed the guests on behalf of the Mufti. He expressed gratitude to the President for sponsoring Ugandan Muslims to perform Hajj, calling it exceptional and a first of its kind. He noted that Hajj is one of the key pillars of Islam and is performed once in a lifetime by able believers. “That is why the UMSC Haj and Umrah Office handles this obligation with the utmost care,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sheikh Ali Juma Shiwuyu, Head of the Hajj Department at UMSC, informed the gathering that preparations had been finalized and the pilgrims are set to travel to Saudi Arabia on Monday, August 25, 2025. In attendance were State House officials including Hajjat Mariam Namayanja Ssebagala among others.
