Amb. Dr. Rashid Ssemuddu Joins Global Leaders at Major Intellectual Awareness Conference in Madinah

Uganda’s Ambassador to Sudan and Special Presidential Envoy to the State of Qatar, H.E. Amb. Dr. Rashid Yahya Ssemuddu, is in Madinah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, participating as a speaker at a major international conference examining Saudi Arabia’s efforts to confront intellectual deviation and promote moderation.

The two-day International Conference on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Efforts to Confront Intellectual Deviations, taking place from 27–28 September 2026 at the King Salman International Convention Center, has brought together prominent scholars, Muftis, government officials, academics, researchers and institutional leaders from Saudi Arabia and across the world.

Discussions at the conference are focusing on strengthening intellectual awareness, promoting moderation and addressing extremism, with sessions examining Islamic scholarship and sound belief, education, mental health and community care, security and international cooperation, as well as the growing influence of technology, artificial intelligence and social media.

UGANDAN DIPLOMAT TO ADDRESS INTERNATIONAL DELEGATES

Amb. Dr. Ssemuddu is scheduled to address delegates on Monday, 28 September, during the conference’s seventh session, titled “The Impact of Graduates of Saudi Universities in Promoting Moderation and Temperance.”

His presentation, “The Impact of Saudi Universities’ Alumni Forums in Promoting Intellectual Awareness,” will examine how international alumni networks can contribute to intellectual awareness, responsible leadership, moderation and constructive engagement within their societies.

The Ugandan diplomat is appearing in the session alongside speakers from Malawi, Russia, Indonesia, India and Kenya, highlighting the international reach of Saudi Arabia’s higher-education institutions and their alumni networks.

FROM MADINAH GRADUATE TO INTERNATIONAL SPEAKER

Amb. Dr. Ssemuddu has a longstanding academic connection with the Islamic University of Madinah, where he pursued his higher education.

His return to Madinah for the conference comes months after he was honoured with the university’s Distinguished Alumni Award during its 62nd Graduation Ceremony on 27 April 2026.

According to information provided in the media brief, only five distinguished alumni representing five countries were selected for recognition across five award categories from a global alumni community exceeding 150,000 graduates from approximately 180 countries.

His participation at this week’s conference places particular attention on the role Saudi university graduates can play after returning to their countries—not only in religious and academic fields, but also in public service, diplomacy, education, community leadership, dialogue, peaceful coexistence and intellectual awareness.

Across eight principal sessions, delegates are discussing subjects ranging from the role of fatwa and religious institutions in addressing intellectual deviation to mental health, security cooperation, education and strategies for strengthening moderation and protecting societal values.

The conference continues in Madinah through Monday, 28 September 2026.