Chinese investments in Uganda have reached an estimated $1 billion, according to the Uganda Investment Authority (UIA). These investments are spread across vital sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, oil and gas, infrastructure, and the development of industrial parks.
Speaking to the media on March 30 in the Lake Albert Basin, the Chinese Ambassador to Uganda, Zhang Lizhong, credited the growing investment to the strong ties between Uganda and China.
He said that under the leadership of President Yoweri Museveni and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, political trust and high-level exchanges have grown stronger, creating a solid foundation for deeper economic cooperation.
“China and Uganda have enjoyed a long-standing friendship, and in recent years we have elevated our relations to a strategic partnership,” said Ambassador Zhang. “This has led to greater collaboration in infrastructure, trade, industrialisation, and human capital development.”
He noted that the partnership has already delivered key benefits, including the removal of trade barriers for Ugandan goods. Exports like fish and other agricultural products can now enter the Chinese market duty-free, offering new opportunities for local producers and exporters.
China is also investing in renewable energy projects, including new bamboo plantations and processing plants. These efforts aim to support sustainable development while opening up new areas of trade and industrial growth.
In addition to infrastructure and trade, China is focusing on building Uganda’s human capital. Ambassador Zhang said China is offering scholarships and short-course training programmes to help Ugandans gain technical skills that will support the country’s long-term development.
The deepening cooperation reflects the shared commitment of both nations to strengthen economic ties and create opportunities that benefit citizens on both sides.
