The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Gen. Jeje Odongo, has expressed Uganda’s deep appreciation to the Government of the People’s Republic of China for its continued support, particularly under the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
He emphasized that this partnership has significantly contributed to Uganda’s development, citing major infrastructure projects such as the Kampala-Entebbe Expressway, and the Karuma and Isimba hydropower plants.
Delivering Uganda’s statement at the Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators on the Implementation of Follow-Up Actions of FOCAC, held in Changsha, Hunan Province, China, Minister Odongo highlighted the transformative impact of concessional financing on Uganda’s agriculture and social sectors.
He noted that these investments are in line with Uganda’s Agro-Industrialization and Inclusive Growth Agenda.
Minister Odongo also outlined Uganda’s comprehensive 10-fold economic growth strategy, which focuses on key sectors including Agro-Industrialization, Tourism, Mineral Development, Oil and Gas, and the Knowledge Economy.
He emphasized the importance of enabling infrastructure such as ICT and digital connectivity, industrial parks, strategic road networks, and health sector digitization in achieving these goals.
On the sidelines of the meeting, Hon. Odongo held bilateral discussions with Mr. Chen Xiaodong, Chair of the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA). The talks reviewed ongoing development programs and explored new areas of cooperation aligned with Uganda’s forthcoming National Development Plan IV (NDP IV).
The meeting was officially opened by China’s Foreign Minister, H.E. Wang Yi, who presented five key proposals aimed at strengthening China-Africa cooperation.
He also read a congratulatory message from President Xi Jinping, in which the Chinese leader pledged zero-tariff treatment for all tariff lines from 53 African countries and reaffirmed China’s commitment to ten key partnership initiatives designed to foster shared development.
The event concluded with the adoption of the China-Africa Changsha Declaration, which outlines the outcomes of FOCAC implementation, and the Concept Paper for the 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges.
These documents reaffirmed the shared commitment of both sides to deepening solidarity, mutual development, and people-centered cooperation.
