A team from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), comprising four Quran reciters and an official, is currently in the Holy City of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, to take part in the 10th International Quran Competition for military personnel.
Uganda’s representatives will compete in the 10, 5, and 3 Juz categories, along with the Tilawa (Best Voice) segment of Quran recitation.
The prestigious competition, held biennially, is organized by the Department of Religious Affairs under Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense and has drawn participants from across Africa, Europe, and Asia.
The event was inaugurated today by Saudi Arabia’s Chief of General Staff, Gen. Fayaad bin Hamerd Al-Ruewaoil, at the Hilton Hotel in Mecca. The opening ceremony was attended by high-ranking officials, including defense attachés from various participating nations.
Uganda’s Defence Attaché in Riyadh, Colonel Younes Bagada, expressed appreciation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the warm reception given to Uganda’s delegation.
Maj. Bilal Katamba, head of Uganda’s team, extended gratitude to the UPDF Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, for facilitating Uganda’s participation in this highly regarded international event.
“We are proudly representing Uganda, and our mission is to raise our national flag high. We thank the CDF for elevating our image both as an institution and as a country,” Maj. Katamba remarked.
Uganda’s delegation includes Capt. Hassan Omar Angubo, Lance Corporal Lubowa Sadat, Lance Corporal Wasswa Hakim, and Private Rashid Ibrahim.
A distinguished panel of five judges, led by renowned Quran scholar Dr. Abdallah bin Muhammad Al-Jarallah, will assess the competition, selecting the top five reciters in each of the six categories. Other members of the panel include Dr. Muhammad bin Ahmed Al-Barhaji, Dr. Yassir bin Rashid Al-Dosari, Colonel Ibrahim Fahid Al-Otaibi, and Colonel Abdul Aziz bin Ahmed Al-Ajlan.
One of the competition’s key objectives is to foster peace by promoting coexistence among people of different backgrounds, beliefs, and cultures.
This year’s edition has attracted 179 participants from 32 countries and will conclude on 16 February 2025.
Uganda and Saudi Arabia maintain strong diplomatic and trade relations. Both nations are members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Islamic Military Counter-Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC), a 42-member alliance headquartered in Riyadh.
The IMCTC is committed to protecting member states from terrorist threats, regardless of ideological affiliation. The UPDF maintains a permanent representative at the coalition’s headquarters.
