Madinah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia | 27–28 September 2026
H.E. Amb. Dr. Rashid Yahya Ssemuddu, Ambassador of the Republic of Uganda to the Republic of the Sudan and Special Presidential Envoy to the State of Qatar, is participating as a speaker at the International Conference on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Efforts to Confront Intellectual Deviations, being held at the King Salman International Convention Center in Madinah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, from 27–28 September 2026.
The high-level international conference brings together prominent scholars, Muftis, government officials, academics, researchers and institutional leaders from Saudi Arabia and different parts of the world to exchange experiences and discuss approaches to strengthening intellectual awareness, promoting moderation and confronting extremism and intellectual deviation.
According to the official programme, the conference highlights the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s efforts and experience in confronting intellectual deviation and extremism. Its major themes include the causes, effects and treatment of intellectual deviation; the importance of sound Islamic belief; mental health and community care; the role of technology, artificial intelligence and social media; and the contribution of security, educational, media and civil-society institutions in promoting intellectual awareness.
Amb. Dr. Ssemuddu is scheduled to address the conference on Monday, 28 September 2026, during the seventh session, entitled “The Impact of Graduates of Saudi Universities in Promoting Moderation and Temperance.” The session will take place from 11:35 a.m. to 12:35 p.m.
His presentation is entitled:
“The Impact of Saudi Universities’ Alumni Forums in Promoting Intellectual Awareness.”
He is listed among six international speakers in the session, alongside distinguished personalities from Malawi, Russia, Indonesia, India and Kenya.
Amb. Dr. Ssemuddu’s participation carries particular significance given his longstanding academic association with the Islamic University of Madinah, where he pursued his higher education. Earlier this year, he was honoured with the University’s Distinguished Alumni Award during its 62nd Graduation Ceremony, held on 27 April 2026 in Madinah. From a global alumni community of more than 150,000 graduates representing approximately 180 countries, only five distinguished alumni, representing five countries, were selected for recognition across five award categories.
The recognition, followed by his participation as a speaker at this international conference, underscores the important role that graduates of Saudi universities can play beyond their academic training through public service, education, community leadership, intellectual awareness, dialogue, moderation and the promotion of peaceful coexistence.
The two-day conference comprises eight main sessions covering the role of fatwa in confronting intellectual deviation; intellectual awareness and the protection of values; the Saudi experience in promoting moderation; institutional, security and international cooperation; mental health; the contribution of Saudi university graduates; and the development of strategies for confronting intellectual deviation while drawing upon the Saudi experience.
