UMSC Reclaims Control of Haj Affairs, Suspends Uganda Bureau of Haj Affairs
By Kyeyune Ali
The Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) has officially repossessed and assumed full control of the management of Haj affairs in Uganda, suspending the operations of the Uganda Bureau of Haj Affairs over alleged gross mismanagement and exploitation of intending pilgrims.
The announcement was made by the Mufti of Uganda, His Eminence Dr. Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, while addressing a gathering of Muslim leaders and invited guests in Buikwe District on Saturday, January 10, 2026.
Dr. Mubaje said UMSC was compelled to intervene after uncovering serious irregularities that had undermined the sanctity of the pilgrimage to the Holy City of Makkah. He accused the bureau of fleecing intending pilgrims through exorbitant and unexplained charges, revealing that pilgrims were allegedly forced to pay additional fees of up to USD 1,000 each.
According to the Mufti, the overall cost of Haj had been artificially inflated, turning a sacred pillar of Islam into what he described as a personal business venture that locked out many Muslims from fulfilling their religious obligation. He further accused the bureau of refusing to work with UMSC while falsely presenting itself to the public as operating under the Council’s authority.
“UMSC could no longer remain silent as Muslims continued to be exploited in the name of worship,” Dr. Mubaje said, adding that the Council has now fully reclaimed its constitutional mandate to manage Haj affairs in Uganda.
He noted that the decision to suspend the Uganda Bureau of Haj Affairs was aimed at restoring dignity, accountability, transparency, and fairness in the organisation of the pilgrimage, while safeguarding the interests of intending pilgrims.
The Mufti made the remarks while officiating at the marriage ceremony of Hannah Shafie Songolo, daughter of Sheikh Shafie Edris Songolo, a prominent Muslim cleric in Busoga, a member of the UMSC Executive, and a member of the Muslim Arbitration and Reconciliation Council (MAC).
The colourful ceremony was held at the Songolo family residence in Kiryowa village, Buikwe District, near Jinja City along the Nyenga Road. The Mufti was warmly received by the host family, accompanied by His Eminence Dr. Sheikh Hafiz Muhammad Harunah Bukenya, Dr. Sheikh Muhammad Hussein Bbowa, the Busoga Regional Assistant to the Mufti Sheikh Sadat Badhola, the Kadhi of Buikwe, and several Kadhis from Busoga and Bugisu, among other Muslim leaders.
During the Nikah ceremony, Sheikh Songolo requested the Mufti to officiate the marriage as the father of the bride, a request he accepted. The Mufti administered the marriage vows, asking the groom three times whether he accepted to marry the bride with the agreed mahr of UGX 2 million, to which the groom responded in the affirmative.
“I hereby announce you are husband and wife,” the Mufti declared, drawing applause from both families and the congregation.
Several dignitaries, including Dr. Sheikh Bukenya, Sheikh Ahmad Isah Masaba, the Kadhi of Bugisu, and Mr. Isah Kirarira, later addressed the gathering, advising the newlywed couple to remain God-conscious, patient, loving, and committed to raising their children on strong Islamic values.
In his concluding remarks, Dr. Mubaje also expressed concern over the rising cases of domestic violence and the growing tendency of men abandoning their families shortly after marriage, calling on Muslim households to uphold responsibility, compassion, and moral discipline.