Ugandan pilgrim dies in Mecca
A scanned travel pass of the late Dauda Musoke
KAMPALA-A Ugandan pilgrim has died in Mecca, Saudi Arabia where he had gone for a pilgrimage to fulfil the Hajj, the fifth pillar of the Islamic Faith.
Hajji Dauda Musoke, 83, who died on Monday in his room, was buried in Mecca on Tuesday in a cemetery after the early morning Prayer known as subuhil.
56 pilgrims from other countries who passed away on Monday were also buried in the same graveyard.
Sheikh Muhammad Kawenda, the deceased‘s son, who went with him to Mecca, said although his dad was nursing a cold, he was able to perform all the Hajj rituals.
“Hajji Musoke managed to do all the activities but yesterday morning [Monday], he complained of general weakness and failed to walk. He needed support to walk due to painful legs,” Sheikh Kawenda said.
He said Hajji Musoke was taken to hospital where he was briefly admitted and discharged.
Later in the day, according to Hajj Kawenda, Hajji Musoke was found dead in his room at about 4pm.
Hajji Musoke was a resident of Namagoma village, in Wakiso District. He is survived by a widow and seven children.
Dr Tatu Kaggwa, one of the Ugandan pilgrims said Hajji Musoke’s died of natural causes.
She said the weather in Mecca is extremely hot adding that most pilgrims complain of dehydration.
She said a Ugandan woman suffered a miscarriage due to congestion and the overwhelming activities involved in performing Hajj.
Sheikh Adbdul Busulwa, the chairperson Federation of Hajj Affairs said that in the Muslim Faith, it is a “blessing” to die and be buried in Mecca.
“When you go for Hajji Allah forgives all your sins. You become holly because Mecca is a holly place and every Muslim wishes to die in there,” Sheik Busulwa said.
Pilgrims are expected to start returning home next week.
