Ismaili.NET - Heritage F.I.E.L.D.

Eight new stamps featuring various development projects of the Aga Khan in Uganda have been issued by Posta Uganda. The stamps, which commemorate the Golden Jubilee of the Aga Khan, were launched on Wednesday during celebrations to mark the World Post Day at the Posta office in Kampala.

The Aga khan Development Network (AKDN) is a network of institutions founded and led by Prince Karim Aga Khan, which collaborate with the governments and other organisation, towards improving living conditions and opportunities for people in some of the poorest parts of the developing world like Uganda.

According to the Chairperson of the board of directors of Posta Uganda, Ms Proscovia Njuki, the stamps are a way of disseminating information.

"Organisations have realised the important role Posta can play in the dissemination of information through postage stamps and that is why the AKDN has chosen to partner with us," she said.
Speaking at the launch of the stamps, the AKDN resident representative, Mr Mahmood Ahmed, said the stamps capture some of the initiatives of His Highness in Uganda over the 50-year period from 1957 to 2007.

"Some of these initiatives, like the establishment of the Jubilee Insurance Company and Diamond Trust Bank, have their roots even further back, to the work by the previous Aga Khan, Sir Sultan Mohamed Shah," Mr Mahmood said.

Other projects depicted on the stamps include Kampala Serena Hotel, the ongoing Bujagali Hydro Power Project, the Madrasa Programme, Air Uganda, Aga Khan Education Services and the Ismaili Jamat Khana a symbol of the Shia Muslims in Uganda situated at Old Kampala.

"In capturing the images of these various economic and social developmental initiatives, the stamps tell a story- and that is of a long-lasting, deep and expanding commitment on the part of His Highness to Uganda," Mr Mahmood added.

Mr Mahmood said other countries like Kenya and Tanzania will also be issuing commemorative stamps for the Aga Khan. To mark the World Post Day, Ms Njuki said Posta Uganda is now embarking on an aggressive reform process, which will embrace new technologies such as automation of counter services and setting up electronic funds transfer systems.