Speech by H.H. The Aga Khan upon the presentation of the Most Excellent Order of the Pearl of Africa 2017-10-09

President
Guests, citizens of Uganda

I want to say today how honored I am to celebrate this occasion with you - 55 years of independence

Your national pathway has been exciting and inspiring to watch and all your friends, including of course myself, look to the future of Uganda in hope, in aspiration, for a better quality of life for all the people of Uganda and of this region of Africa.

And I would like to say that though my community is small in Eastern Africa,our institutions have been here for many decades, and it is my hope today that they will participate in improving the quality of life of all the peoples of Eastern Africa as they build for future generations.

I particularly wish to thank the President for inviting me to share this marvelous occasion with you and to say that I will carry it in my heart and my thoughts until my last day.

Thank you