{UAH} Saudi Arabia donates to IUIU, Makerere

Written by Sadab Kitatta Kaaya

Last Updated: 09 November 2015

Dr Ssengendo (L) and Dr Jamal Raffa during the handover

The kingdom of Saudi Arabia last week donated more than Shs 3.7bn for the improvement of learning facilities at the Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) and the teaching of Arabic at Makerere University.

Saudi ambassador, Dr Jamal Abdulaziz Raffa, on November 2 handed over the cheque worth $975,000 (Shs 3.4bn) to the IUIU rector, Dr Ahmed Ssengendo, for the construction of a computerized library at the university's main campus in Mbale.

Construction of the library is expected to commence within weeks and will be completed by August 2016. Part of the money will be used to equip the library.

"King Salman [bin Abdul -Aziz al-Saud] and the citizens of Saudi Arabia have a big concern for the development of the education sector in Uganda. That is why the kingdom is making this contribution to enhance learning and research at IUIU," said Raffa.

According to Dr Ssengendo, the new library will sit more than 6,000 students compared to the current 150-seater library at the main campus.

"This is part of the continuous support from the Saudi government to IUIU since 1974 when the idea of setting up the university was mooted," Ssengendo said.

At the time, the kingdom gave $8m for the construction of the university at Arivu in Arua but the project stalled following the ouster of President Idi Amin in 1979. Ten years later, the kingdom helped start the university in Mbale, with an additional $8.5m donation for the construction of King Fahd plaza on Kampala road, one of the main sources of the university's revenue.

The commercial building earns the university about $300,000 (shs 1bn) annually.

"The Saudi support has enabled the student population to grow from 80 students in 1988 to now close to 10,000 students," Ssengendo said.

Raffah later handed over a cheque of $90,000 (Shs 314m) for scholarships for 20 students partaking of a three-year course in Arabic studies at Makerere University.

Dr Edith Natukunda-Togboa, the dean of Makerere's department of languages at Makerere, received the cheque on behalf of the university.

At Makerere, Raffah said the kingdom plans to increase its support to the teaching of Arabic language given the growing investment opportunities in the Arab world.
He warned against limiting the scholarships to Muslim students.

--

Without God, our week would be: Sinday, Mournday, Tearsday,Wasteday, Thirstday, Fightday & Shatterday. Remember seven days without God makes one WEAK!!"And if Allah touches you with harm, none can remove it but He, and if He touches you with good, then He is Able to do all things." (6:17)

--
Disclaimer:Everyone posting to this Forum bears the sole responsibility for any legal consequences of his or her postings, and hence statements and facts must be presented responsibly. Your continued membership signifies that you agree to this disclaimer and pledge to abide by our Rules and Guidelines.To unsubscribe from this group, send email to: ugandans-at-heart+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com