Uganda’s Finance Minister, Hon. Matia Kasaija, earlier today signed a grant agreement worth approximately Shs. 101.3 billion with the Chinese Ambassador to Uganda, H.E. Zhang Lizhong.
The agreement aims to bolster economic and technical cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Uganda and the Government of the People’s Republic of China.
The financial and technical support from China will be channeled into investments that align with Uganda’s National Development Goals and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The funds are expected to facilitate initiatives in key economic sectors, fostering long-term growth and development.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Minister Kasaija expressed deep gratitude to the Chinese government for its sustained financial and technical assistance in various sectors, including transport, energy, and health.
“On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Uganda, I want to extend heartfelt gratitude to the Government of the People’s Republic of China for the long-lasting technical and financial support in various sectors ranging from transport, energy, and health, among others,” said Kasaija.
The minister further requested China’s continued support in priority areas such as agro-industrialization, solar-powered irrigation, mineral beneficiation, and technology transfer.
These areas are crucial for Uganda’s economic transformation and industrialization agenda.
In his remarks, Ambassador Zhang Lizhong highlighted that the economic and technical agreement stemmed from discussions held during the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
During the summit, China pledged to elevate its relationship with Uganda to a Comprehensive Strategic Cooperation Partnership.
Ambassador Zhang revealed that Uganda’s Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development (MoFPED) and the Chinese Embassy have already identified projects to jointly implement over the next three years under the 10 partnership actions framework.
These initiatives are expected to drive Uganda’s economic growth and development.
Among the projects identified under the agriculture and food security sector, Zhang confirmed that the first batch of fish maws had already been exported to China.
Additionally, he announced that the bamboo plantation and utilization industry had reached the implementation stage, a significant step towards diversifying Uganda’s agricultural exports.
Ambassador Zhang also reiterated China’s commitment to supporting Uganda’s health sector, specifically in malaria elimination efforts.
He stated that China would continue its assistance in this area throughout the year, reinforcing the long-standing cooperation between the two nations.
The grant agreement further strengthens China-Uganda bilateral ties and underlines China’s continued investment in Uganda’s economic development.
As both countries move forward with implementing the outlined initiatives, the partnership is expected to yield substantial benefits for Uganda’s economy and its citizens.
