KAMPALA
Uganda’s Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, has commended the expanding partnership between Uganda and China, describing it as both historic and transformative.
On Tuesday, July 8, 2025, Uganda’s Parliament hosted a senior Chinese delegation led by H.E. Jiang Zuojun, Vice-Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and Chairman of the Central Committee of the China Zhi Gong Party. The visit aims to enhance legislative cooperation and boost economic collaboration between the two nations.
In his welcoming address, Deputy Speaker Tayebwa, alongside several Members of Parliament, praised the strong relationship between President Yoweri Museveni and Chinese President Xi Jinping. He highlighted the positive impact of this partnership on Uganda’s development.
“I extend my gratitude to President Xi Jinping for the close friendship he has extended to Uganda and Africa at large. His partnership with President Museveni has paved the way for steady progress and elevated our bilateral relations to unprecedented levels,” Tayebwa stated.
He further acknowledged China’s crucial support in vital sectors such as infrastructure, healthcare, and trade. Tayebwa cited China’s donation of anti-malaria medications valued at 8 million Yuan, 50,000 COVID-19 testing kits, and 600,000 vaccine doses during the height of the pandemic as key contributions.
“This assistance truly embodied the saying ‘a friend in need is a friend indeed,’ and it played a significant role in saving many lives,” he added.
Regarding trade, Tayebwa noted Uganda’s increasing exports to China but raised concerns about the significant trade imbalance, with Uganda exporting goods worth US$54 million in 2024, while imports from China reached US$1.1 billion.
He appealed for technical support to help Ugandan exporters meet Chinese market standards more effectively.
Responding on behalf of the Chinese delegation, H.E. Jiang Zuojun reaffirmed China’s strong commitment to Africa, emphasizing that the current relationship between China and Africa is the closest it has ever been.
“As President Xi Jinping often says, the friendship between China and Africa transcends time and is passed down through generations. This friendship is now stronger than ever, forming a community with a shared future,” Jiang remarked.
He identified Uganda as a vital partner in Africa and highlighted the elevation of their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership following the 2023 Beijing Summit under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.
During the engagement, Hon. Nathan Nandala-Mafabi, MP for Budadiri County West, called for the revival of previously dormant trade initiatives, particularly in the coffee sector, which is Uganda’s top export.
“There was a company known as China Uganda that focused on coffee trade. I believe reviving this company could facilitate increased access for Ugandan coffee to the Chinese market,” Nandala-Mafabi suggested, pointing out ongoing challenges in market access.
This visit marks the first official engagement by the Central Committee of the China Zhi Gong Party with Uganda’s Parliament. Both parties pledged to continue deepening bilateral and legislative collaboration for mutual benefit.