INITIATIVE: Uganda’s Envoy To Sudan, Dr. Rashid Ssemuddu Promises Peace In South Sudan

By PATRICK JARAMOGI

KHARTOUM,  Sudan [SHIFTMEDIA]  Uganda’s new envoy to the Republic of Sudan Dr. Hajji Rashid Yahya Ssemuddu has promised to push for peace in South Sudan.

Rashid Yahya Ssemuddu, made the remarks while presenting his credentials to the to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the  Republic of Sudan, Hon. Ambassador Ali Al Sadiq.

The ceremony took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs boardroom in Khartoum Wednesday.

Ambassador Ssemuddu who replaced James William Kinobe, who was dropped conveyed a message from the Uganda’s foreign Affairs Minister Gen. Jeje Abubakar Odong.

Ssemuddu expressed his gratitude to the Government of Republic of Sudan for the excellent bilateral relationship between the two sister states, and its impact on Uganda’s regional organizations, including: the African Union, EAC, IGAD and ICGLR.

He also spoke about Uganda’s role in regional peace and security, pointing out the keen interest in the Tripartite Framework aimed at bringing lasting peace to Southern Sudan.

 

In a communique released after the meeting ambassador Ssemuddu also thanked the government of Sudan for the hundreds of  scholarships they have offered to Ugandans over time, to study in Sudanese  institutions of higher learning.

The Sudan foreign minister, Ali Al Sadiq promised to support Ssemuddu in his work and reiterated his continued cooperation with the Uganda Government.

In December 2021, President Yoweri Museveni appointed Ambassadors, High Commissioners and Deputy Ambassadors to the respective brotherly and friendly countries where Dr. Rashid Yahya Ssemuddu, was posted to Khartoum, Sudan replacing James William Kinobe.

Following the appointment, Ssemuddu went to Khartoum, Sudan on July 10, 2022, and was received by Haji Silima Kombo, the ambassador of Tanzania to Sudan and Issa Ahmed, the ambassador of Eritrea to Sudan.

 

Who is Dr. Hajji Rashid Ssemuddu?

Previously, Dr. Ssemuddu was first appointed into service on a local contract as Foreign Service Officer Grade 1 on 10th December 2012 for 36 months with effect from the date of assumption of duty.

He then served as Ambassador to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and non-Resident Ambassador-Designate to Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Jordan and Yemen before his contract was terminated on 5th November 2020.

Before serving as country diplomat, Dr. Ssemuddu worked as 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.

He was born in Nsotoka village, Kayunga district and he 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 Islamic 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.

Dr. Rashid Yahya Ssemuddu started at Nsotoka Primary School later 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 mainstream 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 Master’s Degree (MA) in Fiqah (Islamic Jurisprudence). His grade was termed as Very Good. 

He attained a doctorate of ‘Al-Alamyah Al-Aliya’ Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), First Class Honors), the first of its kind in the country.

Dr. Ssemuddu then worked as the Chairman Uganda Saudi Alumni, Director General for Madinah International Development Agency, and the Coordinator of Saudi donation of equipment at Mulago Heart Institute. 

He is also Goodwill Ambassador for Investment and Trade to the gulf region.