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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.

"His Highness [the Aga Khan] has long been a supporter of the regionalisation of East Africa, as a pre-requisite for the realisation of its potential in an increasingly globalised economy. As a network [AKDN], we have reflected long and hard on how we can best contribute to East African development in a period of regional and global integration," Mr Mahmood said on Wednesday in Kampala.

He made the remarks on Wednesday, a day the hereditary Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, founder and chairman of AKDN His Highness the Aga Khan, marked his 58th anniversary of ascending to the Ismaili Imamat.

His Highness is the 49th spiritual leader of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, a global multi-ethnic community whose members live in Central and South Asia, Middle East, Sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa and Europe.

The East African Legislative Assembly Speaker, Mr Daniel Kidega, who presided over the function as chief guest, applauded the massive contribution of His Highness the Aga Khan to the development of the region pointing out the health sector, education, information technology, sports, among others, which have benefited millions of people.