Prince Aga Khan marks 55 years as Ismailia head
Minister Kajara toasts with Mr Ahmed during the celebrations in Kampala on Thursday. Photo by Faiswal Kasirye
The Aga Khan Development Network on Thursday celebrated 55 years of His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan as head of the Ismailia Muslims.
The Aga Khan is the 49th hereditary Imam of the Ismailia after succeeding his grandfather Shah Aga Khan on July 11, 1957. The Imamat Day is marked every July 11 but different communities organise celebrations on different days.
Speaking at celebrations held at the Serena Hotel, Kampala, Mr Mahmoud Ahmed, the Aga Khan diplomatic representative, said the Aga Khan Development Network would engage more in social development of Uganda.
He, however, warned that failure to eliminate infrastructural deficits in power and transport was affecting investor confidence in Uganda.
He said the Aga Khan will grace the opening of the 250 MW Bujagali dam later this year, which is expected to solve the load shedding problem.
The Aga Khan Development Network runs a variety of upscale businesses in Uganda in health, education, culture and rural development sectors. The State Minister for Investment, Mr Aston Kajara, said the Aga Khan investments in Uganda were a testimony that doing business in Uganda is not risky.
He added that businesses that connect Uganda to her regional partners in Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda were aiding the integration efforts of markets in the East African region.
The Minister said that the Aga Khan was investing in Uganda “at a time when we are very vulnerable”.
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