Uganda to benefit more from the Gulf States - ambassador

Dr. Rashid Yahya Ssemuddu, the newly appointed ambassador will be in charge of seven countries; Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and Yemen.

Recently, President Yoweri Museveni appointed him in a reshuffle of Ambassadors and Resident District Commissioners. He talked to PATRICK JARAMOGI about his life and other side of life.

Before the appointment, Dr. Ssemuddu has been the Goodwill ambassador for Investments and Trade to the Gulf Countries and he managed to attract some investors from the Gulf Countries to work in Uganda.

Born in Nsotoka village, Kayunga district, Semuddu spent most of his childhood life in Saudi Arabia, attending both secular and religious education. He holds a doctorate in Sharia Law - Jurisprudence from Madina University, a qualification that raises his status to a level of a person who qualifies to become a mufti of Uganda, according to the constitution of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council. He is the eighth child in the family of thirty seven children of Hajj Yahya Ssali. He is married man with two wives and five children.

Dr. Rashid Yahya Ssemuddu’s educational journey started at Nsotoka Primary School later he joined Bilal Islamic Institute-near Kampala High before he joined African Islamic Centre in Sudan. He enrolled for O’level at the Secondary Institute of the Madinah Islamic University, Saudi Arabia. He enrolled for the Higher School Certificate, an equivalent of UACE in Uganda. He joined the main stream University first for a four year ‘Al-Ijaza Al-Aliya’ Bachelor’s Degree course in Islamic law, obtaining a ‘Very Good’ grade. He pursued a Masters Degree (MA) in Fiqah (Islamic Jurisprudence). His grade was termed as Very Good. He attained a doctorate degree of ‘Al-Alamyah Al-Aliya’ Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), First Class Honors), the first of its kind in the country.

Dr. Ssemuddu’s worked as the Chairman Uganda Saudi Alumni, Director General for Madinah International Development Agency, the Coordinator of Saudi donation of equipments at Mulago Heart Institute. He is also Goodwill Ambassador for Investment and Trade to the gulf region.

What others say about him
Dr. Jamal Abdulaziz Raffa, the Saudi Ambassador to Uganda described the appointment of Dr. Rashid Yahya Ssemuddu as one of the best choices made by the President Museveni. “I have to be sincere. The President made one of the best choices (in appointing Dr. Ssemuddu.) He has a very rich experience in terms of the culture and people of Saudi Arabia. I have closely worked with him for the last two years I have been in Uganda. He is a very good Saudi Arabian Citizen. So, by going to Riyadh, he is going home,” he said.

Abdulaziz said Semuddu has worked hard to enhance the success of Saudi interests in Uganda.

Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, the Minister for ICT described Dr. Ssemuddu’s appointment as an excellent venture for the people of Uganda. “The new envoy has been representing Uganda well in Saudi Arabia as goodwill ambassador for Investments and Trade,” said Rugunda.

Eng. Badru Kigundu. (Chairman Electoral commission), describes Dr. Ssemuddu as a young academia and accomplished Ugandan, who has the integrity to represent Uganda on international mission. “He is a composed person who calculates his words before making a statement. “I have respect for him, and I do not remember any time he ever engaged in any confrontation” Eng. Kiggundu added.

The Supreme Mufti Zubair Kayongo the leader of the Kibuli based Muslim sect, expressed optimism that Dr. Ssemuddu would work towards uniting and connecting Muslims of Uganda to Saudi Arabia and other Gulf States. “I appreciate Allah for his appointment to the level of an Ambassador” adding that the posting comes with responsibilities and opportunities; I have confidence in him.

Lt. Gen Katumba Wamala, the Commander of the Land Forces, said he was happy that Dr. Rashid Yahya Ssemuddu was appointed. “He is an educated man, and I think his appointment to Saudi Arabia, is worthy. He is one man who speaks Arabic like his mother tongue, which gives me hope that he shall be able to work and deliver,” He said