Bilal honours Sheikhs Ssemuddu, Kisuule, Walusimbi as 159 graduat
By Hajji Yunous Ntale
Bilal Islamic Institute Kakiri has honoured some of its prominent alumni, including Uganda’s ambassador to Sudan, Sheikh Dr Yahya Rashid Ssemuddu, senior presidential adviser on Middle East Affairs, Sheikh Dr Ahmed Muhammad Kisuule, and the director of Shariah in the Office of the Supreme Mufti, Sheikh Prof Abdul Hafiz Walusimbi.
The three were among the alumni recognised for their achievements as 159 students graduated from the institute at its 55th Hafla held on September 25.
The institute’s principal, Sheikh Sufian Khalid Muguluma, said the awardees were selected in recognition of their achievements on both the local and international scenes.
Referencing an award Ssemuddu received in April from his alma mater, the Islamic University of Madinah, Muguluma said Bilal Islamic Institute takes pride in his achievements in public service.
Ssemuddu has served as Uganda’s ambassador to Qatar, a special presidential envoy to Qatar and Uganda’s permanent representative to the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). He is also the government’s representative on the University Council of the Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU).
Dr Kisuule was recognised for his achievements as a diplomat and for his contribution to the institute during its transition from Bat Valley in Kampala to Kakiri, Wakiso district, in the early 1990s.
Walusimbi, on the other hand, was honoured following his recent elevation to associate professor, in recognition of his academic achievements at IUIU and Makerere University.
In addition to serving in the Shariah and Legal Affairs department in the Office of the Supreme Mufti, Walusimbi teaches in the department of Religion and Peace Studies at Makerere University and at IUIU, where he heads the department of Shariah.
“He was my student here, but he is now a professor, an academic rank I may not achieve,” Muguluma said as Walusimbi stepped forward to receive his award from Sheikh Hussein Rajab Kakooza.
A total of 159 students, both male and female, received their Thanawi testimonials during the graduation ceremony.
Speaking as chief guest, Ssemuddu said his own achievements demonstrated that graduates of Islamic institutions could make meaningful contributions to the country.
“We have to appreciate the government for the enabling environment in which Islamic institutions are free to teach the Islamic curriculum and fulfil their educational mission without undue interference or restrictions from the government,” Ssemuddu said.
He, however, cautioned against taking the freedom for granted.
“This freedom is both a blessing and a responsibility that we should not take for granted. We have to demonstrate that sound religious education produces responsible citizens, people who are proud of their religion but loyal to their country, and committed to development and peaceful co-existence,” the ambassador said.
The graduation ceremony was also used to raise funds for the construction of a storeyed building that will house the institute’s dining hall.
