MADINAH, Saudi Arabia — Uganda’s Ambassador to Sudan and Special Presidential Envoy to Qatar, Amb. Dr Rashid Yahya Ssemuddu, has conveyed Uganda’s solidarity with Saudi Arabia and condemnation of recent Houthi attacks against the Kingdom during a high-level international conference in Madinah.
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 September 27–28.
The conference, held at the King Salman International Convention Centre, brought together scholars, government officials, researchers and specialists from Saudi Arabia and other countries to examine intellectual awareness, moderation and ways of confronting extremism and intellectual deviation. The programme included scientific papers and dialogue sessions on issues ranging from intellectual and religious awareness to institutional, security and international cooperation.
In his address, Ambassador Ssemuddu drew attention to a message from Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, expressing solidarity with Saudi Arabia following the attacks.
“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,” Gen Muhoozi said in the statement.
Introducing the message to the conference, Ambassador Ssemuddu linked Uganda’s position to the central theme of the gathering, saying discussions on moderation and intellectual balance provided an appropriate platform to underline the importance of rejecting violence and extremism.
“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,” he said.
He explained that Gen Muhoozi’s statement called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and de-escalation while affirming the need to respect Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The remarks came against the backdrop of a conference whose organisers and Saudi officials emphasised moderation, intellectual awareness and the protection of societies from extremist and radical ideas.
Opening the conference, Madinah Governor Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud said Saudi Arabia attaches importance to strengthening intellectual awareness, protecting intellectual integrity and promoting moderation as part of efforts to safeguard the security and stability of societies.
Ambassador Ssemuddu also used his presentation to highlight the role of Saudi university alumni in promoting intellectual awareness and peaceful coexistence beyond the classroom.
His presentation, titled “The Impact of Saudi Universities’ Alumni Forums in Promoting Intellectual Awareness,” examined how graduates of Saudi universities can contribute to moderation, dialogue and intellectual security in their respective countries.
The diplomat, who is an alumnus of the Islamic University of Madinah, argued that the relationship between universities and their international graduates should continue after graduation through sustained academic and professional engagement.
He proposed stronger national and regional alumni networks, regular academic forums, multilingual intellectual-awareness materials and greater cooperation between alumni, universities and research institutions.
He also proposed the establishment of an annual international alumni forum, rotating between countries and continents, to provide a platform for graduates to exchange ideas and contribute to efforts aimed at promoting intellectual awareness and peaceful coexistence.
Ambassador Ssemuddu’s participation follows his recognition earlier this year by the Islamic University of Madinah, where he received the Distinguished Alumni Social Impact Award during the institution’s 62nd graduation ceremony in April. The award recognised his contribution to community service, humanitarian initiatives and social impact.
The conference was held under the patronage of Prince Salman bin Sultan and featured participation from scholars, officials and researchers from Saudi Arabia and abroad. Organisers said the gathering was intended to facilitate the exchange of experiences and strengthen international efforts to confront intellectual deviations and promote moderation.
At the conclusion of his address, Ambassador Ssemuddu expressed appreciation to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and Prince Salman bin Sultan for their support for the conference.
He also thanked Islamic University of Madinah President Dr Saleh bin Ali Al-Aqla, as well as the university’s leadership, faculty and conference committees, for convening the international gathering.
For Ambassador Ssemuddu, his participation also provided an opportunity to underscore the educational and people-to-people links between Uganda and Saudi Arabia, drawing on his own academic experience in Madinah and his current diplomatic role representing Uganda abroad.