This function was moderated by Hon. Issah Katungulu Luyimbaazi, the African Youth Ambassador, and graced by H.E. Deputy High Commissioner, Kenya High Commission; Mr. Namuguzi, UNICEF-NPC, and his delegates; Hon. Asuman Basalirwa, the leader of the Parliamentary Muslim Caucus in the Parliament of Uganda; Dr. Rouhollah Dehghani, the Principal of Al-Mustafa Islamic College; Sheikh Muhammad Ali Waiswa, the Deputy Mufti of Uganda; Dr. Faridah Kyambadde, representative from Islamic University in Uganda, Females’ Campus; Dr. Ahmed Walugembe, Head of Marketing and Media Studies at Makerere University Business School; Dr. Celestine Katongole, lecturer and Head of the Tourism Department at MUBS; Dr. Owen Kembabazi, lecturer at MUBS; Dr. Assadi, lecturer at Al-Mustafa Islamic College, Kyengera; and Hafiz Sheikh Jamil Nsubuga, the Deputy Imam of Makerere University Business School.
Schools that attended included the following:
Excel Vocational Training Centre, Metropolitan International University, Markazi Imam Reza Kiteezi, Swadiq Centre, Luwafu, Makerere University Business School, Islamic University in Uganda, Females’ Campus.
Sheikh Buye Hussein, a teacher from Imam Reza School, led the opening prayer at Makerere University Business School.
Dr. Ahmed Walugembe, Head of Marketing & Media Studies, represented the Principal of MUBS and noted that Dr. Muhwezi recognizes the cordial relations with the Iranian Embassy in Uganda.
He welcomed invited guests and informed them that they are working on establishing cooperation agreements with the Iranian government.
He noted that among the contributions of Imam Khomeini was the establishment of diplomatic relations with African countries in education and health, among other areas, that have changed the lives of many.
He thanked Sheikh Muhammad Ali Waiswa, the Deputy Mufti of Uganda, for his commitment to supporting the education sector in Uganda.
He also thanked Dr. Celestine Katongole, the Head of the Tourism Department at Makerere University Business School, who traveled to Iran along with other academicians from Uganda.
He noted that Makerere University Business School is ready to cooperate with the Iranian Embassy through cultural and academic exchange programs.
Dr. Celestine Katongole, Head of the Tourism Department at Makerere University Business School, shared his experience about Iran, having traveled with a team of academicians from Uganda.
He noted that most people, especially in African countries, rely on Western media, but he saw a beautiful picture of organization, culture, advancement, and social discipline.
He mentioned the quality of products and services at relatively lower prices and wondered why Ugandan traders don’t engage with Iran for trade relations.
Dr. Owen Kembabazi, a lecturer at Makerere University Business School who attended the International Women’s Congress at Al-Zahra University in Iran, represented Uganda and Africa to discuss issues pertaining to women’s affairs and society.
She rallied Ugandans to always seek information about Iran.
She requested more cultural and academic exchange programs for different groups of people.
Dr. Assadi, a lecturer at Al-Mustafa Islamic College, Kyengera, spoke about the contributions of Imam Khomeini and quoted Qur’anic verses where Almighty Allah summarizes the life of human beings, including prophets.
He noted that it’s the duty of scholars to continue pursuing the course and mission of the prophets against tyranny and oppression.
He noted that Imam Khomeini had enormous knowledge in different sectors, which is why he succeeded in the Cultural Revolution in Iran.
He analyzed Imam Khomeini’s strategy of Islamic unity, awakening struggles, and introducing Islamic democracy.
Sheikh Muhammad Ali Waiswa, the Deputy Mufti of Uganda, recognized invited guests and representatives from different institutions and members of the diplomatic corps. He said that during such commemorations, we gather to learn the cause of their faith and nations, and to see that the entire humanity is rescued from exploitation and injustices.
He noted that Iran is one of the greatest empires the world has witnessed, although Western countries have tried to diminish it through propaganda machinery. But no one can underrate it, as it is a superpower nation with developments in science and technology, self-sustainability, production, specialized universities, among others—achievements resulting from the struggle led by Imam Khomeini.
He rallied participants to emulate such personalities by engaging in productivity and creating new knowledge to benefit others across borders.
He noted that people must be committed to building bridges and breaking the chains that delay the acquisition of knowledge, skills, and development.
He informed participants that it is only the Islamic Republic of Iran that is strongly supporting the Palestinian people amidst all aggression from the US-backed Zionist regime of Israel.
Africa gained a lot from Palestine during the apartheid regime in South Africa, as Palestine did all it could to save it from oppressors and aggressors.
He noted that Imam Khomeini shaped the world with a new chapter of governance, which was neither aligned with the West nor the East.
Hon. Asuman Basalirwa, the leader of the Parliamentary Muslim Caucus in the Parliament of Uganda, recognized the invited guests and shared his personal experience and lessons, which included successfully being a religious and political leader through community mobilization and transformation using Islamic wisdom.
He noted that Iran has managed to develop infrastructure amidst economic sanctions and called upon free thinkers to shun propaganda.
He noted that Imam Khomeini taught the world that one can be both a religious and political leader and offer exemplary servant leadership with a simple lifestyle.
Imam Khomeini taught us that living a simple life does not make one ineffective whatsoever, but most leaders want to live extravagantly to make a statement—often at the expense of inconveniencing the people they lead.
Imam Khomeini became a thorn in the flesh of the West by setting a foundation for how to relate with other foreign countries.
He set a foundation for education scholarships to build human resources in different sectors and in knowledge, science, and technology.
He noted that Iran is ready to ensure regional peace and security with all nations in the Middle East.
Mr. Abdollah Abbasi, the Iranian Cultural Counsellor, noted that today marks the death of Imam Khomeini, who still remains in the hearts of believers and free thinkers who believe in his contributions to the world beyond Iran.
In terms of rationality, Imam Khomeini was good at planning and managing society through drafting the constitution with the Iranian people to ensure peaceful living.
On the Palestinian cause, it was Imam Khomeini who declared the International Quds Day during the holy month of Ramadan to show solidarity and love to oppressed nations, including Palestine.
H.E. Mr. Majid Saffar, the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran, was honoured to address participants on the death anniversary of the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Imam Khomeini was a voice of the oppressed and a defender of world peace.
He was not only the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran but also the architect of policies derived from the Holy Qur’an—policies that do not seek to dominate others but to work with others in the best way.
He rejected foreign invasion and aggression to protect the sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
He condemned the aggressive actions of Israel against humanity in Palestine, where basic human needs are denied.
Imam Khomeini described Israel as a cancer due to its crimes against humanity, human dignity, and international law.
He rallied participants to always preach peace and stand against oppression and corruption in society.
He quoted Imam Khomeini: “…purity of the love of true believers in front of Allah…”
Iran is ready to share its science and technology with countries in the Global South.
