President Yoweri Museveni yesterday received His Highness the Aga Khan and his delegation at State House Entebbe.The Aga Khan Prince Shah Karim Al Hussaini is in the country at the invitation of President Museveni as Uganda celebrates her 55th independence anniversary from British colonial rule.The Aga Khan is a special guest at Uganda's 55th independence anniversary celebrations in Bushenyi. During the celebrations, the AgaKhan will be bestowed with a medal in recognition of his exceptional efforts towards the economic development of Uganda.

He will receive the “Most Excellent Order of the Pearl of Africa” medal during the celebrations for his huge contribution to Uganda’s development and to humanity.

The medal, according to the National Honours and Awards Act, 2001, is given to Heads of State and Heads of Government. 

Past recipients include presidents Paul Kagame (Rwanda), Theodore Obiang Nguema Mbasogo (Equatorial Guinea) both awarded in 2012, Armando Guebuza (Mozambique) in 2013 and Julius Nyerere and Jakaya Kikwete (Tanzania) in 2007.

The Aga Khan told his host that he was looking forward to attending Uganda’s historical event of her independence in Bushenyi district.

His Highness, the Aga Khan Prince Shah Karim Al Hussaini is the 49th hereditary spiritual leader of the Shia Ismaili Muslims