Uganda Hails “Historic and Transformative” Partnership with China as Legislative Ties Deepen

Uganda’s Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, on Tuesday lauded China’s burgeoning partnership with Uganda as “historic and transformative,” signalling a new era of strengthened legislative and economic cooperation between the two nations.

The praise came as Parliament welcomed a high-level Chinese delegation led by H.E. Jiang Zuojun, the Vice-Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and Chairman of the Central Committee of the China Zhi Gong Party. This visit, the first official one by a delegation from the China Zhi Gong Party to the Ugandan Parliament, underscores the deepening bilateral relations.

In his welcoming remarks, flanked by several Members of Parliament, Deputy Speaker Tayebwa commended the leadership of both countries. “I want to appreciate H.E. Xi Jinping, the President of the People’s Republic of China, for the great friendship he has exhibited towards Uganda in particular and Africa at large. His good working relationship with H.E. President Museveni has ensured steady development of our country, and our relations are at a level never seen before,” he stated.

Tayebwa highlighted China’s extensive support across various critical sectors, including infrastructure, health, and trade. He specifically acknowledged China’s timely assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic, noting the contribution of anti-malaria drugs worth 8 million Yuan, 50,000 COVID-19 testing kits, and 600,000 vaccine doses. “Indeed, China proved the old saying ‘a friend in need is a friend indeed.’ This helped us to save our people,” Tayebwa remarked.

While acknowledging Uganda’s growing exports to China, the Deputy Speaker voiced concern over the significant trade imbalance. In 2024, Uganda exported goods worth US$54milliontoChina,whileimportsfromChinaamountedtoasubstantialUS$1.1 billion. “I request for technical support so that we can meet the required standards in the short term,” Tayebwa appealed, seeking assistance to enhance Uganda’s export competitiveness.

On behalf of the Chinese delegation, H.E. Jiang Zuojun reaffirmed Beijing’s unwavering commitment to Africa and Uganda, characterising current China-Africa relations as being “at their best.” “Just as President Xi Jinping of China notes, the friendship of China and Africa transcends time and space and is passed down through generations. Now China-Africa friendship is at its best, elevating to a China-Africa community with a shared future for a new era,” Jiang stated. He further noted Uganda’s status as a key partner on the continent, with the partnership elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership following the 2023 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

During the engagement, Nathan Nandala-Mafabi, MP for Budadiri County West, urged both sides to revisit previously abandoned trade partnerships, particularly concerning Uganda’s top export, coffee. “There was a company called China Uganda, which was formed to deal in coffee, and I would imagine that company should be revived if it is dead, for the purpose of allowing coffee, which is our leading export, to enter the Chinese market,” Nandala-Mafabi proposed, addressing existing market access barriers.

Both sides concluded the meeting by pledging to deepen bilateral and legislative ties, setting a course for continued mutual development and prosperity.