A total of 159 students have graduated from Bilal Islamic Institute-Kakiri following the institution’s 55th Thanawi Graduation Ceremony for the academic year 2026.
The grand graduation ceremony was held on Friday, 25th September 2026, bringing together graduates, parents, teachers, religious leaders and invited guests to celebrate the students’ academic achievements and completion of their Thanawi education.
The graduating class comprised 104 boys and 55 girls.
Among the 159 graduates, 45 students attained First Class, 51 achieved Second Class, 37 obtained Third Class, while 26 graduated in Fourth Class.
The ceremony was graced by Ambassador Rashid Yahaya Ssemuddu, a former student of Bilal Islamic Institute.
Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Ssemuddu expressed his appreciation to the Government of Uganda for providing an enabling environment for Islamic institutions to offer religious and academic education.
He also reflected on his journey as a former student of Bilal Islamic Institute, describing his career as an example of the opportunities available to graduates of Islamic institutions to contribute to national development.
“His Excellency the President first entrusted me with the responsibility of serving as a Goodwill Ambassador for Investment and Trade to the Gulf region and the Middle East, and later appointed me to serve Uganda as an Ambassador in various Arab countries, Permanent Representative to the OIC, and Special Presidential Envoy to the State of Qatar,” Ambassador Ssemuddu said.
He added that he was more recently appointed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to serve as a member of the University Council of the Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU), representing the Government of Uganda.
Ambassador Ssemuddu said his journey was not merely a personal achievement but also demonstrated how graduates of institutions such as Bilal Islamic Institute can go on to serve their country in different capacities.
He particularly appreciated the Government of Uganda for creating an environment in which Islamic institutions and schools can teach their religious curriculum and fulfil their educational missions without undue interference.
“This freedom is both a blessing and a responsibility, and it is not everywhere in the world, so we should not take it for granted,” he said.
He urged graduates and other alumni of Islamic institutions to use their education and faith to become responsible citizens who are proud of their religion, loyal to their country and committed to peace, development, peaceful coexistence and national unity.
“It is therefore our duty as products of these Islamic institutions to demonstrate through our words and actions that sound religious education produces responsible citizens, people who are proud of their faith, loyal to their country and committed to peace, development, peaceful coexistence and national unity,” he concluded.
One of the major highlights of the ceremony was the awarding of university scholarships to the best-performing male students and best-performing female students.
Ambassador Ssemuddu presented the scholarships to enable the two outstanding graduates to continue their university education at the Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU).
The scholarships were presented as an encouragement for the students to maintain their academic excellence and use their education to make a positive contribution to society.
The ceremony also recognised students who demonstrated exceptional academic performance and discipline, with outstanding students receiving special gifts in appreciation of their hard work and commitment.
The 55th Thanawi graduation marked another important milestone in the history of Bilal Islamic Institute-Kakiri. It celebrated the achievements of 159 students while highlighting the institution’s continued role in providing both Islamic and academic education.
As the graduates begin the next chapter of their lives, they were encouraged to carry with them the values of faith, discipline, academic excellence, patriotism and service to society.
For the 159 graduates, Bilal may have marked the end of their education but it is only the beginning of a new journey.
