LUGBARA KARI CELEBRATES PRIME MINISTER ISMAIL TUKU’S RETURN FROM HAJJ PILGRIMAGE TO MECCA

Lugbara Kari leaders, Muslim faithful’s and Family members welcoming Al-Hajji Ismail

Tuku at Arua Airfield from Saudi Arabia. All photos by Onzoma Albert

By Onzoma Albert

Arua City

The Lugbara Cultural Institution (Lugbara Kari) congratulates its Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Al-Hajji Ismail Tuku, on his safe return from the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

His reception at Arua airfield, marked by communal and official gatherings, underscores his prominent leadership within the Lugbara Kari community and the wider West Nile Muslim population.

Tuku was among 12 pilgrims from West Nile region who traveled to Mecca this year, embarking on the journey from May 17 to June 8, 2026.

He encouraged Muslims in the region to take interest in performing Hajj, emphasizing it as a mandatory religious duty for all physically and financially capable Muslims to undertake at least once in their lifetime.

“I know very well that the journey is expensive but once you are determined, what is the use of having money, first of all, how much money have we spend in our life like me how much money do you think I have spent, so let us not base the pilgrimage entirely on money but we rather bring personal interest in some of these things we need in life,” he noted.

Rt Hon Hajji been escorted home upon arrival at Arua Airfield.

Sheik Habib Aluma, regional secretary of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council for West Nile, urged Muslims to adhere to all Five Pillars of Islam, which form the foundation of their faith and daily devotions.

“Everybody knows that the religion of Islam is built on five fundamental pillars and fulfilling all this pillars makes you a complete Muslim, not many people can have financial abilities to make this journey, so for the few who have sacrificed their resources and making going for this pilgrimage a priority needs to be celebrated,” he said.

Jaffar Alekua, the Lugbara Kari clerk to the council, also extended congratulations on behalf of the institution, acknowledging the prime minister’s successful completion of the pilgrimage.

“We are very grateful to the Almighty God for having taken him upto the holy city of Mecca and enabling him to perform the rituals of Hijja, completing it and returning successfully, we thank Almighty God for that as Lugbara Kari” he remarked.

The Five Pillars of Islam are core practices that shape a Muslim’s life, with Hajj being one of the essential duties.

The community’s celebrations reflect their respect and spiritual connection to this religious obligation, and they emphasize the importance of fulfilling these pillars for strengthening faith and communal solidarity.