Biography

Hajji Abdunoor Kariisa (1927-1979) was born in present day Ruhaama in Southwestern Uganda to a pastoral farmer called Kangye (meaning it’s mine). Kangye who lived in the late 1800s till mid 1900s was a descendant of emperors and kings that ruled present day East Africa and parts of Central Africa for almost 800 years.

Hajji Abdunoor, who lost his parents at a young age used survival skills he had learned from his late parents and was able to take care of his siblings and other relatives at a very young age. He was introduced to Islam in the late 1940s by a noble family of the late Sheikh Obeid Lutale who adopted him and treated him like his own son. He spent his adolescent years with his new found brothers Sheikh Abdu Obeid Kamulegeya and the late Hajji Asadu Lutale.

Hajji Abdunoor’s first born, Anas was born in 1950 and there after, he saw his family increase by another 20 children between 1951 to 1976. He was able to support his entire family from mostly driving a truck for long distances.

The 21 offsprings, 10 of whom are still surviving have grown to be professionals in several fields but

what binds them together is the philanthropic spirit imparted upon them by their father and elder siblings especially the late Dr. Sheikh Anas Kaliisa, who inherited from his father in 1979.

To date the late Hajji Abdunoor has 85 grandchildren and many more great grandchildren, who with their parents live in different parts of the world.

The Kariisa Foundation was established mainly to fulfill the promise and final assignment a father left his children in 1979. He simply said, “I am going soon but I am leaving you with Education, Religion and Friends. Hold on to those three things and pass them on to the rest of world.”

Biography

Hajji Abdunoor Kariisa (1927-1979) was born in present day Ruhaama in Southwestern Uganda to a pastoral farmer called Kangye (meaning it’s mine). Kangye who lived in the late 1800s till mid 1900s was a descendant of emperors and kings that ruled present day East Africa and parts of Central Africa for almost 800 years.

Hajji Abdunoor, who lost his parents at a young age used survival skills he had learned from his late parents and was able to take care of his siblings and other relatives at a very young age. He was introduced to Islam in the late 1940s by a noble family of the late Sheikh Obeid Lutale who adopted him and treated him like his own son. He spent his adolescent years with his new found brothers Sheikh Abdu Obeid Kamulegeya and the late Hajji Asadu Lutale.

Hajji Abdunoor’s first born, Anas was born in 1950 and there after, he saw his family increase by another 20 children between 1951 to 1976. He was able to support his entire family from mostly driving a truck for long distances.

The 21 offsprings, 10 of whom are still surviving have grown to be professionals in several fields but what binds them together is the philanthropic spirit imparted upon them by their father and elder siblings especially the late Dr. Sheikh Anas Kaliisa, who inherited from his father in 1979. To date the late Hajji Abdunoor has 85 grandchildren and many more great grandchildren, who with their parents live in different parts of the world.

The Kariisa Foundation was established mainly to fulfill the promise and final assignment a father left his children in 1979. He simply said, “I am going soon but I am leaving you with Education, Religion and Friends. Hold on to those three things and pass them on to the rest of world.”