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

When he takes to the podium to be honoured today, it won't be by accident or even a miracle; it will be tribute to decades of work and contribution His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV has done in Uganda that have outlived many post-independent governments.

The Aga Khan, who is the Imam (spiritual leader) of the Ismaili Muslims, arrived in the country yesterday ahead of today's 55th Independence anniversary and held a brief meeting with President Museveni and other senior government officials at State House Entebbe.

His Highness the Aga Khan, 49th hereditary Imam (Spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims and founder and chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) arrives this weekend as a special guest to Uganda’s 55th Independence Anniversary celebrations.

This year’s celebrations will be held at Bushenyi Municipal Grounds under the theme, “Uganda’s freedom must be anchored in the spirit of hard work, resilience and Commitment”.

Prince Amyn Aga Khan at the Serena Hotel, Uganda

Kampala, Uganda, 11 February 2004 – Serena Tourism Promotion Services (a subsidiary of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development) has signed a thirty-year lease concession agreement with the Government of Uganda and agreed to invest US$18 million investment for extensive refurbishment and upgrading of the former Nile Hotel which will re-open in September 2005 as the Kampala Serena Hotel.

Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim

Your Excellency President Museveni of the Republic of Uganda
The Right Honourable Prime Minister
Honourable Ministers
Excellencies
Members of the Diplomatic Corps
Distinguished Guests

What an immense privilege it is to be present at this great beginning - the inauguration of what has instantly become one of Africa's finest hotels, the Kampala Serena. And what a joy it is to share in this moment with all of you - the people who made it possible.

His Highness the Aga Khan and His Excellency President Museveni walk to the conference centre for the official opening ceremony.

AKDN/Gary Otte

Thank you Aga Khan

Editor,

The world does not only operate via commercial enterprises and this has been amply proved by the Aga Khan University Hospital Nairobi.

Their gesture, offering free radiotherapy treatment to over 400 Ugandan cancer patients, even if it were though an MOU with Uganda’s cancer institute, is very commendable and I would wish to suggest that other companies and organizations follow suit.

Not only does this give hope to patients, it also shows that there is a lot of positives in regional cooperation.

Thank you Aga Khan Hospital.

James Opit

Shs 340,000 per year for all 60 acres
• Govt to guarantee Aga Khan’s foreign loan applications
• Aga Khan needs an additional 40 acres in Nakawa
• Govt exempts Aga Khan from paying taxes for project

On top of the 60 acres of prime land in Kampala to house a university teaching hospital, the Aga Khan Foundation will enjoy tax exemptions, government guarantees for foreign loan applications and – possibly – an additional 40 acres, details of a confidential agreement suggest.

Mr President,
Prime Minister,
Guests,

This is an important day for me because it represents an opportunity to contribute to Uganda’s development, to my community’s integration within the institutions of Uganda and in East Africa more widely.

Higher education and science are two of the most important factors in development. And Africa requires to have institutions that will assist in the development of those resources.

The Aga Khan University’s vision for the new University Hospital in Kampala includes:
A first phase to be completed in 2020: The ultimate vision is for the University Hospital to grow toward 600 beds in phases of development over time. The first phase of construction will be completed in 2020 with the establishment of a tertiary hospital of approximately 150 beds costing more than US$ 100 million.

President Yoweri Museveni has commended His Highness theAga Khan and the Ismail community for their great contributions to the economic development of Uganda in the sectors of education and health, among others.

Right Honorable Prime Minister,
Honorable Ministers,
Members of the Diplomatic Corps,
Distinguished Guests

I’d like to begin my comments this morning by expressing my very great gratitude for the warmth with which I have been received here in Uganda, the support that the President and the Government have been offering to this new project of creating an Aga Khan University Hospital here in Kampala.

Kampala, Uganda, 17 December 2015 - The Aga Khan University, a not-for-profit, private international university, announced today it will build a teaching hospital in Kampala to provide Ugandans with health care and higher education of world-class quality.

Entebbe, 16 December 2015 — Mawlana Hazar Imam arrived in Uganda today ahead of an expected event announcing plans for a new Aga Khan University Hospital to be established in Kampala.

Hazar Imam revealed his intention to establish the hospital in February, at the convocation ceremony of the Aga Khan University.

“With the cooperation of the government we plan to establish a new Aga Khan University Hospital in Kampala,” he said in his convocation address. “No Ugandan should have to leave the country to seek quality medical care.”

Kampala — Aga Khan University Hospital is poised to expand its footprint in East Africa after acquiring land from government to build aspecialised health facility in Kampala.

The 60-acre piece of land, which is part of the former Nakawa-Naguru Housing Estate, will host a teaching hospital.

The facility will serve as hospital and a health training institution for the Aga Khan University located on Gadaffi Road in Old Kampala, which trains doctors, nurses, midwives and allied health professionals.

The Government of Uganda has generously provided the Aga Khan University with a grant of land in central Kampala for the establishment of this teaching hospital. A ceremony announcing the land grant and initiation of the Aga Khan University Hospital in Kampala, Uganda will take place on December 17, 2015 and will be presided by His Excellency President Yoweri Museveni and our Chancellor, His Highness the Aga Khan

Kampala — His Highness the Aga Khan has promised to continue supporting the East African integration so that it can realise its potential in the face of a globalised economy.

Mr Mahmood Ahmed, the diplomatic representative of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), said His Highness the Aga Khan recently signed an agreement with the regional block secretary general, Mr Richard Sezibera, to strengthen cooperation in that regard.

Speech by Mawlana Hazar Imam at the Uganda Jamati Institutional Dinner
Kampala Serena Hotel, Uganda
July 12, 2011

(President Huzur Mukhi Mohamed Lalani presented Hazar Imam a gift of an incense burner cover from Khorasan shaped in the form of a horse head)
Hazar Imam then said the following:
President Lalani, Institutional Leaders and volunteers,
I would like, first of all, to thank you for the magnificent evening you have offered Me and for this lovely gift of this Khorasani horse.

Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim

Rt. Honorable Speaker of Parliament
Honorable Ministers,
Trustees and President of the University,
Members of the Diplomatic Corps,
Deans, Faculty and Staff of the University,
Parents, Donors, Supporters and Distinguished Guests,
And Graduands.

Humjambo and Karibuni. Hongera, Wanafunzi wote, I’m learning a little Swahili.

What a remarkable day this is – and what a pleasure it is to be here.

AKU Complete Video of the Kampala Convocation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnsKMj62c5s

NTV Video of the AKu Convocation with news: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYq4rii8Dek