Dr Shaban Ndekezi, a medical practitioner from Wakiso District, has returned to Uganda after completing a seven-year degree at Al-Azhar University in Cairo. According to the Nile Post, he visited the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) Education Department to express his thanks for the financial support that enabled his studies. Ndekezi was among the students selected in 2019 after passing interviews organized by the council alongside senior officials from the Egyptian university. He earned a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery qualification, describing the award as a life-changing opportunity during his meeting with council leadership.
Sheikh Juma Bakhit Cucu, who heads the UMSE Education Department, praised the doctor for his courtesy visit. Cucu stated that Ndekezi’s actions demonstrated Islamic principles of gratitude and humility. He referenced a religious teaching noting that failing to appreciate human kindness prevents one from truly appreciating the divine. The council head highlighted that many Ugandans have received aid since the organization was founded in 1972, making such gestures significant.
Despite the praise, Cucu voiced frustration over former recipients who never returned to acknowledge their supporters or serve their local communities. He defended the council’s selection process, asserting that recent reforms have enhanced transparency and fairness. He explained that opportunities are advertised publicly across various media channels, allowing qualified individuals to apply. The final decisions and interviews are managed by the academic institutions providing the funds, ensuring merit-based outcomes.
Cucu told the Nile Post that Ndekezi proves anyone meeting requirements can succeed without underhand methods. He urged other beneficiaries to follow the doctor’s example by showing appreciation and using their professional skills to aid national development. The UMSC program aims to expand educational access for Ugandan students seeking higher learning and professional training. Ndekezi’s successful completion underscores the potential for such initiatives to build skilled human resources within the country.