President Museveni on Thursday presided over the official inauguration of the Aga Khan University (AKU) and the groundbreaking of the Aga Khan Hospital in Nakawa, Kampala.
The dual event marks a significant milestone in Uganda’s partnership with the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), aimed at strengthening the country’s healthcare and higher education sectors.
The president reaffirmed the government’s commitment to creating a secure and attractive environment for both local and foreign investors, warning corrupt officials against attempts to solicit bribes or shares from businesses.
“We are working to ensure a corruption-free environment for our partners,” President Museveni said. “Any government official who tries to extort money or demand shares should be reported immediately.”
The new Aga Khan University features state-of-the-art facilities including smart lecture theatres, a medical simulation lab, a well-stocked library, and a multi-purpose auditorium. The institution is designed to offer specialized training in health sciences and other disciplines.
The Government of Uganda allocated 60 acres of land in Nakawa to the Aga Khan Development Network for the project, which includes both the teaching hospital and the university. Officials say the hospital will help bridge service gaps in specialist healthcare in Uganda.
President Museveni praised the Ismaili community and AKDN for their continued investment in Uganda, recalling the detrimental impact of the 1972 expulsion of Asians under Idi Amin and the subsequent economic decline.
“The return of expelled investors during the NRM era has contributed significantly to our economic recovery,” the president noted.
As a gesture of appreciation, President Museveni awarded the Pearl of Africa Grand Master Award to His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan and the Grand Commander Award to Princess Zahra Aga Khan, in recognition of AKDN’s socio-economic contributions to Uganda.
Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni, commended AKDN’s commitment to education, describing the project as a result of a visionary partnership.
“The Aga Khan University brings global expertise and investment to a venture that will transform healthcare education in our country,” she said. “We’re grateful for the partnership that brought this to life.”
She highlighted government efforts to expand access to higher education, citing an increase in public universities from just one at independence to 10 public and 48 private universities today.
Mrs. Museveni also acknowledged recent developments in public university infrastructure, including renovations at Makerere University and the expansion of the National Council for Higher Education offices.
Quoting Ecclesiastes 4:9, she added: “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. This partnership exemplifies that.”
Prince Rahim Aga Khan expressed gratitude for the opportunity to collaborate with the Ugandan government, stating that the new university symbolizes a long-term vision for knowledge, service, and development.
Dr. Sulaiman Shahabuddin, President of Aga Khan University, thanked President Museveni for his continued support, reinforcing the belief that education is a cornerstone of economic transformation.
“We share the vision of a Uganda where education drives development,” Dr. Shahabuddin said.
