Pilgrim dies hours after returning from Hajj

By Issa Kigongo

In the early hours of Tuesday, June 2, a chartered FlyNas flight from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, touched down at Entebbe International Airport carrying Ugandan pilgrims returning from this year’s Hajj pilgrimage to Makkah.

Among the passengers was Hajji Erias Lusiga, one of 70 pilgrims who travelled for Hajj under Answar Tours and Travel. He appeared to be in high spirits, eagerly looking forward to reuniting with his family in Boza, Mpigi Town Council.

Excitement filled the air as Lusiga emerged from the arrivals terminal at Entebbe. He raised his hands in celebration as he responded to jubilant chants from family members and well-wishers who had gathered at the airport to welcome him home.

“He was all praises for his son, Ismail Lusiga, for facilitating him to fulfill this important pillar of Islam,” said Sheikh Jalaaldiin Ssozi Tamusuza, leader of Answar Tours and Travel.

The family then travelled in a jubilant convoy to Mpigi, arriving home shortly before sunrise. According to Tamusuza, Lusiga spent about 30 minutes sharing his Hajj experiences with relatives, friends and well-wishers who had gathered to welcome him back before he started feeling unwell.

“He was rushed to Mpigi Health Centre, where he was attended to by his doctor, who managed his condition and informed the caretakers that he would stabilise,” Tamusuza said. “Unfortunately, about 15 minutes later, his condition worsened and he passed away.”

Lusiga travelled for Hajj as a known diabetic and had impaired eyesight, conditions that required special attention during the pilgrimage. According to Tamusuza, the group bought him a wheelchair to aid his movement, but he declined to use it.

“Because of that, we bought him a wheelchair to aid his movements, but he refused to use it. He performed the Tawaf [circumambulation of the Kaabah] and all the other rituals on his own, with only minimal assistance,” Tamusuza said.

He added that it was only at Muzdalifah that Lusiga boarded a bus to Jamarat for the symbolic stoning of the devil ritual.

“He was social and easily connected with everyone. That is why, when news of his passing circulated, more than 30 Hujjaj in our group left behind guests who had come to celebrate with them and travelled to attend his burial,” Tamusuza said.

Lusiga was buried on June 3 at his family burial grounds in Kyasanku, Mpigi Town Council.