By Aggrey Baba
Ugandan Muslims preparing to visit Saudi Arabia for Hajj 2027 will have to adjust to a new pilgrimage reality after Saudi Arabia introduced new reforms that will change how pilgrims register, pay and access services.
The changes, announced on July 15, 2026, by the Uganda Bureau of Hajj Affairs (UBHA) as it unveiled the 2027 roadmap, include the abolition of the popular Class D package, a new three-tier service system, stricter deadlines and a fully integrated booking process.
While authorities in Saudi Arabia say the changes are designed to make Hajj more organized and reduce last-minute disruptions, Ugandan Muslims face concerns over rising costs and the need for earlier financial planning.
For years, the Class D package had been the preferred option for many Ugandans because it was relatively affordable, and its removal means pilgrims will now choose between three new categories, including Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3, under a standardized system introduced by Saudi Arabia.
At the unveiling ceremony, UBHA chairperson Sheikh Zakaliya Kyewalyanga warned that the changes are likely to increase the cost of pilgrimage. Previously, Ugandan pilgrims paid between USD 4,500 (UGX 16,620,000), and USD 6,000 approximately UGX 22,160,000, but the new arrangements are expected to push prices higher depending on the selected package.
For many Muslims, the increase could have a major impact as Hajj is often financed through years of savings from salaries, businesses and farming, meaning higher costs could force some intending travelers to delay their journey. However, muslim leaders argue that the changes are also intended to improve the pilgrimage experience by removing uncertainties that have affected pilgrims in the past.
Under the new system, accommodation, Mina tents, Arafat services and other arrangements will no longer be booked separately. Instead, all services will be secured together through a comprehensive package, reducing the risk of many travelling to Saudi Arabia without confirmed arrangements.
The new system introduces a strict preparation calendar, and acording to the UBHA roadmap, passport collection will begin on August 10, 2026, followed by the uploading of details of those who intend to travel onto the Saudi Nusuk portal on August 14, 2026.
Pilgrims will also be required to make an initial payment of at least USD 2,000, approximately UGX 7,387,600, by November 2026, with the full balance cleared by December 2026. UBHA will then remit payments to Saudi authorities by December 24, 2026, to secure the required pilgrimage packages.
The timeline continues into 2027, with the deadline for uploading pilgrims’ information onto the Nusuk Masar platform set for January 28, 2027, while visa processing will continue until March 9, 2027.
UBHA officials warned that there will be no extensions, saying strict adherence to deadlines is necessary to prevent a repeat of last year’s problems.
The warning comes barely a year after a dispute over Hajj coordination between UBHA and the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) disrupted preparations and left some intending believers unable to travel after applications were submitted after the Saudi portal had closed, an experience which has increased calls for better coordination among Muslim institutions, Hajj operators and government agencies.
The changes are also expected to encourage Muslims to treat Hajj as a long-term financial commitment, and now, religious leaders have urged believers to begin saving early rather than waiting until they have surplus funds.
The changes, however, present an opportunity for Uganda’s pilgrimage sector to become more organized. With Saudi Arabia increasingly relying on digital registration, electronic verification and centralized booking platforms, operators will have to improve transparency, communication and accountability.
Despite concerns about higher costs, many Muslims remain determined to fulfil the obligation of Hajj, viewing the pilgrimage as a spiritual journey that requires sacrifice and patience.
The journey to Makkah will now begin months before departure, for Uganda’s Muslims preparing for Hajj 2027, with passports on August 10, payments before the end of 2026, digital registration in early 2027 and strict compliance with deadlines. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
