Hajj Crisis Caused by UMSC and Uganda Bureau of Hajj Affairs Conflict State House Clarifies

The ongoing conflict between the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) and the Uganda Bureau of Hajj Affairs (UBHA) has placed the 2026 pilgrimage of several President Yoweri Museveni-sponsored pilgrims at risk, according to Hajjat Mariam Namayanja.

Namayanja, a coordinator of the Presidential Hajj program and the Special Presidential Assistant in charge of monitoring the Parish Development Model (PDM), stated that the dispute between the two organizations may cause some selected beneficiaries to miss this year’s Hajj. The tension has created administrative hurdles that have directly impacted the visa submission process required for travel to Mecca.

Visa Submission Discrepancies

While three different organizations were tasked with facilitating the travel of state-sponsored pilgrims in 2026—Anwaary, Tawakal, and UMSC—Namayanja noted that only UMSC is currently facing complications. Pilgrims traveling via Anwaary and Tawakal have already arrived in Saudi Arabia, as those organizations submitted the necessary visas in a timely manner.

In contrast, the UMSC has failed to provide the full complement of visas for its assigned beneficiaries. Out of 60 pilgrims intended to travel through the UMSC, the organization has only submitted 17 visas to State House.

“For UMSC, out of the 60 beneficiaries, they only submitted 17 visas to State House, that’s the number we have paid for. We cannot pay for people without visas because last year the State House counted losses. If they have evidence that they submitted the visas to the State House, they should present it,” Namayanja said.

The clarification from Namayanja follows claims made by the UMSC that officials at State House have been frustrating their efforts to facilitate the travel of the President-sponsored pilgrims.

Investigations into Allegations

The conflict is currently the subject of an investigation by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit. This probe was initiated following a formal complaint filed by the Mufti of Uganda, Sheikh Shaban Ramadan Mubajje. While the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been made aware of the situation, Namayanja clarified that the State House is not a participant in the dispute itself.

The dispute centers on the management of the annual pilgrimage and the authority to oversee Hajj affairs. The Mufti has accused the UBHA of inflating Hajj travel fees and transforming the religious pilgrimage into a commercial business venture.

Further allegations from the Mufti include claims that the UBHA has been charging pilgrims an additional $1,000, approximately 3.6 million shillings, and has issued visas to non-Ugandans and non-Muslims to visit the Kaaba. Specifically, the Mufti named Rebecca Kukiriza, also known as Chosen Becky, as an individual who was issued a visa to visit the site.

Response from the Bureau

The UBHA has denied all allegations of wrongdoing. Speaking at a press conference on January 12, 2026, UBHA chairperson Sheikh Zakariyah Kyewalyanga argued that neither the UMSC nor the Mufti possesses the legal authority to suspend or disband the bureau.

Kyewalyanga maintained that the UBHA operates as an independent company and holds its mandate from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He asserted that the accusations regarding inflated fees and improper visa issuance are tactics intended to discredit the organization and facilitate a takeover of Hajj management for material gain.

“UBHA got the mandate from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and thus the mufti has no such powers to suspend or disband this organisation. We therefore call upon the Hajj travel companies and the entire Muslim community to ignore such unfounded statements,” Kyewalyanga said.

Kyewalyanga further noted that only the Registrar of Companies has the power to de-register the bureau. To address the claims of corruption, he stated that the organization had offered a prize of $1,000 (approximately 3.6 million shillings) for any evidence produced regarding incidents of misconduct involving the bureau or its members, a challenge he claims the Mufti has not met.

Historical Context of Hajj Management Issues

The current crisis follows similar administrative failures in 2025. Namayanja revealed that although President Museveni sponsored pilgrims during the previous year, many were unable to undertake the pilgrimage because stakeholders failed to secure the required visas. Those stakeholders failed to refund the allocated funds to State House.

The recurring issues with visa procurement and financial accountability have led to increased scrutiny of the organizations managing the pilgrimage in Uganda.