Uganda, May 7 -- The first group of Muslim pilgrims is set to depart for Mecca, Saudi Arabia tomorrow, with about 150 being sponsored by President Museveni, his press team announced Thursday.

Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, is a sacred obligation for every Muslim who is physically and financially able to perform it at least once in their lifetime.The pilgrims will travel in two groups between May 8 and May 12, 2026, under a fully-funded State House arrangement implemented in collaboration with the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC).

The first batch of 90 pilgrims was on Wednesday flagged off at the Office of the Prime Minister Conference Hall in Kampala by the Senior Presidential Advisor in charge of Political Mobilisation, Mr...