Museveni urges Mecca-bound Muslims to pray for peaceful Uganda

President Yoweri Museveni has urged Mecca-bound Muslims to pray for Uganda to remain peaceful. 

“As you embark on your pilgrimage to Mecca, pray for Uganda to remain peaceful,” he said Tuesday in a message delivered by State House Comptroller Jane Barekye while flagging off 100 Muslims headed for the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. 

The ceremony took place at the Office Of the Prime Minister in Kampala. 
Hajj — one of the five pillars of Islam — is a sacred pilgrimage that is required of every Muslim at least once in their lifetime.

Each year, millions of Muslims from across the world travel to and perform Hajj in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

Each year, millions of Muslims from across the world travel to and perform Hajj in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. (PPU Photos)

The Hajj of various imams, sheikhs, sheikats, among others, was fully funded by the State House under the directive of President Museveni. 

Barekye revealed that the President had requested believers, especially the leaders, to preach the gospel of wealth creation to ensure that Ugandans get out of poverty. 

She informed Muslims that if they have land, Museveni encourages them to fight poverty through commercial agriculture. 

“Embrace the four-acre model for those with small land holdings. You can put coffee on one acre, another acre grow fruits, the third acre grow pasture for zero grazing, then on the fourth acre grow food crops,” she echoed the President's call.

“But as a leader you should lead by example, create avenues of wealth creation so that people can take a leaf from you.”

During the same event, Barekye delivered the President's financial support of $500 to each beneficiary, which they will use as upkeep while on the pilgrimage. 

“His Excellency the President also thanked you for loving God and it's the reason he sponsored you for Hajj. Everything has been fully funded."

Moses Byaruhanga, the Senior Presidential Advisor for Political Mobilization, commended Museveni for having a listening ear and ensuring that he works for all people, especially the ordinary Ugandans. 

He also thanked Barekye for working around the clock to ensure that the President's pledges and directives to Ugandans are fulfilled. 

“President Museveni takes the Hajj program in high esteem, that's why he offers 100 slots each year.”

Byaruhanga also informed the beneficiaries that Museveni will host them for Shukuru (thanksgiving) at State House Entebbe when they return from Hajj. 

He further urged believers to embrace the wealth creation programmes like the Parish Development Model (PDM) to fight poverty and improve their livelihoods. 

He assured Muslims that PDM does not contravene the Islamic teachings against riba.

He said the small interest is not profit from grant, but it's meant to keep the programme afloat amidst inflation challenges. 

The Deputy Mufti of Uganda, Sheikh Hafidh Haroon Muhammad Bukenya, on behalf of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC), thanked the government and Museveni for the continued support towards Islam. 

“We thank President Museveni for making this offer annually. As Muslims, we are very happy for the support from this government. They have really supported us financially and socially,” he said. 

“We cannot thank President Museveni enough apart from praying for him. Let us continue praying for our government and our President so that they stay in power peacefully.”

Sheikh Bukenya also urged Muslims to always respect the government and their leaders, saying “leadership comes from God”. 

“We pray for the good health of our President so that he can continue serving this nation.” 

Hajji Sadat Kisuyi, the Director of Anwaary Travel Agency which offers Hajj and Umrah services, thanked God for enabling the selected few to fulfil the fifh pillar of Islam. 

“When you go to Mecca, pray for our President and thank Allah for him. He gives Muslims in Uganda 100 Hajj slots annually,” he said.