President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has inaugurated the Aga Khan University and officially launched the construction of the Aga Khan Hospital in Nakawa Division, Kampala, pledging government support to both private and foreign investors.
Speaking at the ceremony, President Museveni assured investors of protective legislation for their investments in Uganda, emphasising the government’s commitment to creating a conducive environment for private sector growth.
“The NRM government has always believed in providing an enabling environment for businesses to thrive. We will protect your investments through proper legislation,” the President said.
He praised the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) for its long-standing contribution to Uganda’s socio-economic development, recalling how the expulsion of Asians in the 1970s under Idi Amin collapsed Uganda’s economy until the NRM government facilitated their return.
President Museveni commended the AKDN for establishing modern learning facilities, including smart lecture halls, a simulation laboratory, a library, and a multipurpose auditorium. The government allocated 60 acres of land in Nakawa for the project in partnership with AKDN to build a specialised teaching hospital and university.
“This hospital and university will bridge critical service gaps in education and healthcare while positioning Uganda as a regional hub for specialised services,” the President said. He further urged investors to report corrupt government officials seeking bribes or shares in private enterprises.
During the ceremony, President Museveni presented the Pearl of Africa Grand Master Award to His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan V and the Grand Commander Award to Princess Zahra Aga Khan for AKDN’s exceptional contributions to Uganda’s development.
First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Museveni, hailed the partnership between the government and AKDN as a major milestone in expanding quality education and healthcare.
“Our goal as a country has been to expand opportunities, ensure equity, and strengthen the role of higher education as an engine of innovation and development,” she said. “The NRM government has increased public universities from one to ten and private universities to 48.”
She expressed gratitude to the Aga Khan leadership for their commitment to quality education and healthcare, noting the many infrastructural projects recently completed across Uganda’s public universities.
His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan V emphasised AKDN’s dedication to partnering with the Ugandan government to advance healthcare and education in the country.
“We are proud to work alongside the public sector in Uganda for the benefit of communities,” he said.
The President of Aga Khan University, Dr. Sulaiman Shahabuddin, thanked President Museveni for his unwavering support since the project’s inception, saying education remained a critical pillar for economic transformation.
The ceremony was attended by the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, members of the diplomatic corps, and other dignitaries.
