MADINAH, SAUDI ARABIA
Uganda’s Ambassador to Sudan and Special Presidential Envoy to the State of Qatar, H.E. Amb. Dr. Rashid Yahya Ssemuddu, has communicated to Saudi authorities Uganda’s message of solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the condemnation expressed by Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba Museveni, following recent Houthi attacks against the Kingdom.
Ambassador Ssemuddu delivered the message while addressing the International Conference on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Efforts in Confronting Intellectual Deviations, organised by the Islamic University of Madinah on 27–28 September 2026.
The high-level international conference brought together senior officials, scholars, researchers and specialists from Saudi Arabia and abroad to examine intellectual awareness, moderation and approaches to confronting extremism and intellectual deviation. Saudi reporting said the conference included dozens of academic papers and a series of specialised panel discussions addressing religious, educational, security, media and societal dimensions of intellectual awareness.
Speaking before the international gathering, Ambassador Ssemuddu drew attention to the statement issued by Gen. Muhoozi expressing solidarity with Saudi Arabia.
Gen. Muhoozi stated:
“We express solidarity with our brothers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We condemn all recent attacks against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by the Houthis. We call for an immediate cessation of hostilities. Uganda calls for an immediate de-escalation of this conflict. Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected.”
Ambassador Ssemuddu placed the message within the broader theme of the conference, linking the rejection of violence and extremism to the principles of moderation, balance and peaceful coexistence.
“Since we are discussing moderation and intellectual balance, with our focus on confronting intellectual deviations that can become a source of extremism, allow me to begin by conveying the position expressed by my country, Uganda, regarding the recent attacks against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” Ambassador Ssemuddu told the conference.
He noted that the statement by Gen. Muhoozi — who is the son of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and serves as Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces — expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia, condemned the attacks attributed to the Houthis, called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and de-escalation, and stressed respect for Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Ambassador Ssemuddu said the message was consistent with the wider principles of moderation and balance discussed during the Madinah conference, including rejection of violence, extremism and destruction.
The conference itself placed considerable emphasis on these themes. The Governor of Madinah Region, Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, said at its inauguration that Saudi Arabia attaches importance to intellectual awareness, moderation and the protection of societies against extremism and intellectual deviation.
Ssemuddu Highlights Role of Saudi University Alumni
Ambassador Ssemuddu was participating in the conference as both a Ugandan diplomat and an alumnus of the Islamic University of Madinah, where he pursued his studies through to PhD level.
His presentation, entitled “The Impact of Saudi University Alumni Forums on Promoting Intellectual Awareness,” focused on how graduates of Saudi universities around the world can contribute to moderation, dialogue, intellectual security and peaceful coexistence.
He argued that the relationship between universities and their international graduates should not end at graduation, but should develop into a long-term partnership through which alumni continue to engage with scholars, universities and one another in responding to emerging intellectual challenges.
This subject formed part of the conference’s wider focus on the international contribution of Saudi university graduates to moderation and balanced intellectual discourse. Conference organisers specifically highlighted the role of graduates, particularly alumni of the Islamic University of Madinah, in carrying these values internationally.
Ambassador Ssemuddu proposed stronger national and regional alumni networks, regular academic meetings, multilingual intellectual-awareness materials, support for alumni-led community initiatives, and greater cooperation between graduates, universities and research centres.
He further proposed the establishment of a major annual international alumni forum, rotating among countries and continents, to transform alumni engagement from occasional gatherings into a sustainable global network for intellectual awareness and cooperation.
Uganda–Saudi Relations
In concluding his address, Ambassador Ssemuddu expressed appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and Madinah Governor Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, who patronised the conference.
He also thanked the President of the Islamic University of Madinah, Dr. Saleh bin Ali Al-Aqla, and the University’s leadership, faculty and conference committees.
Ambassador Ssemuddu said his years of education in Madinah had given him knowledge and values that he continues to carry in his diplomatic, community and public service.
The Ugandan diplomat’s decision to convey Gen. Muhoozi’s statement during the international gathering placed Uganda’s message of solidarity before an audience convened specifically to discuss moderation, intellectual security and the rejection of extremism, while also highlighting the longstanding educational and people-to-people links between Uganda and Saudi Arabia.
Post a Comment