President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni met with Princess Zahra Aga Khan, daughter of the late Prince Karim Al-Hussaini, Aga Khan IV, to pay his respects and reflect on the strong bond between Uganda and the Aga Khan.
During their meeting at State Lodge-Nakasero, President Museveni extended his condolences to the Aga Khan’s family, acknowledging the significant loss of a spiritual leader and businessman.
The President reminisced about awarding the Aga Khan a medal during his visit to Bushenyi, saying, “I was surprised when I heard about his death because at 88 years old, he was not old.”
President Museveni also shared his personal connection with the Ismaili community in Uganda, which dates back to his childhood.
“I wrote a piece on social media when I started seeing his pictures from 1957,” he recalled. “Back in our village, we had an Indian forum, and I believe they were all from the Ismaili community.”
The President fondly remembered the Indian shops in his village, which displayed pictures of the Queen of England, Aga Khan, and the local king.
He further shared his childhood memories of learning about the Aga Khan’s leadership, saying, “It must have been around 1957-1958, when I was 12 years old, that I noticed four Indian families in Ntungamo hanging pictures of a young man.”
President Museveni highlighted the strong relationship between Uganda and the Aga Khan, saying, “Since I came into government, I had the opportunity to meet His Highness. He and his community have been very supportive to Uganda and other African countries.”
Princess Zahra, who has a long-standing connection with Uganda, shared her experiences, saying, “I have been to Uganda many times. The first time I came here was in 1990, and I was here last year and the year before.”
As a board member of the Aga Khan University, Princess Zahra emphasized the institution’s vital role in higher education and healthcare in Uganda.
She also made a heartfelt request, asking President Museveni to pray for the soul of the late Aga Khan IV.
The meeting was attended by Dr. Sulaiman Shahabuddin, President of the Aga Khan University, and Mr. Amin M Mawji Obe, Diplomatic Representative of the Aga Khan Development Network.
