Over 200 Ugandan Muslims miss Hajj, Nakibinge tips on visa acquisition

KAMPALA - Titular head of all Muslims in Uganda Prince Kassim Nakibinge has sympathised with over 200 Ugandan Muslims who missed out on Hajj to Mecca in Saud Arabia over lack of visa.

Addressing hundreds of Muslims he hosted at his Kibuli-Hill-based residence in Kampala city after Idd-al-Adhuha prayers on Friday (June 6, 2025) Nakibinge implored the Muslims intending to go for Hajj next year to always act in time.

He stressed that Saudi Arabia has a complicated visa acquisition process which demands for more time.

Nakibinge implored Muslims to participate in the next general elections at all levels. (All Photos by Colleb Mugume)

Over 1,000 Ugandan Muslims are participating in Hajj 2025 taking place between June 4-9 in Mecca.

Repentance prayer

Nankibinge used the occasion to welcome the joint prayer of forgiveness and repentance by President Yoweri Museveni and First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports Mrs Janet Museveni as statesmanship.

"We want to thank the President for coming up openly to seek for forgiveness and repenting. That was very statesmanship. We ask him to make right what went wrong and ensure that he works well with his opponents," Nakibinge said.

He asked the President to ensure the release of his political opponents such as Dr Kizza Besigye and ensure those who need treatment like Edward Ssebufu (Eddie Mutwe) access healthcare.

Take part in general election

Nakibinge implored Muslims to participate in the next general elections at all levels.

"We ask all our people to sieve the people who will offer themselves as candidates to see whether they are worthy," he said.

Nakibinge implored Muslims to participate in the next general election at all levels.
Supreme Mufti of Uganda Sheikh Muhammad Galabuzi, thanked Allah who has protected Ugandans from last year to date.

He indicated globally there are a lot of challenges facing Islam.

"Islam is a peaceful religion, it is a religion of peace," he emphasised.
He condemned acts of unlawful evictions of people from the land with massive destruction without consideration.

Dr Muhammad Kiggundu Musoke, the spokesperson of the Kibuli-based Muslim leadership rallied the Muslims to accept the President's action of faith highlighting that it was well in line with their Islamic values of faith.

The Makerere don emphasised that Islamic teachings encourage extending a hand of forgiveness to those who have wronged.

"If one has been brave enough to come up and say, ladies and gentlemen, I am sorry, Islam recommends that you forgive. Even though it is not a must, but the best is that if one has repented, forgive because that is what God loves," he said.

In a joint prayer with the President and the First Lady prayed for forgiveness and repentance for all wrongs committed under their leadership in the last 40 years.

This was during the wrap-up of the Light Up Uganda for Jesus gospel convention under the theme, 'The Crossing', at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds in Kampala recently.

Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, and key ally of imprisoned former Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party president Dr Kizza Besigye,  also said Museveni's prayer of forgiveness and repentance was welcome but should be followed with action.

"The political persecution must stop. All political prisoners, including Dr. Brsigye, who are languishing in jail, should be set free unconditionally," Lukwago said.