China reaffirms support to Uganda as US cuts aid
Chinese Ambassador to Uganda Zhang Lizhong (left) interacts with students who took part in a painting competition at the Kingfisher oil fields in Kikuube District on March 19, 2025. PHOTO/MICHAEL KAKUMIRIZI.
What you need to know:
- China has become a significant development partner for Uganda, investing in infrastructure, energy, and manufacturing.
China has reiterated its unwavering commitment to supporting Uganda and Africa, positioning itself as a stable partner amid uncertainty surrounding Western aid.
Chinese Ambassador to Uganda Zhang Lizhong emphasised that China will not withdraw aid or economic cooperation, contrasting with the United States’ review of its foreign aid under USAID, which included a temporary halt to funding.
“China believes that big countries should honour their commitment and fulfil their due responsibilities,” said Ambassador Lizhong. “Whatever they do, China will continue to strengthen our relationship with African countries including Uganda. Our cooperations will not be affected, rather will be strengthened in the future to what is befitting to the interest of both China and Africa,” he added. The ambassador made the remarks during a press briefing at the Kingfisher oil fields in Kikuube District, highlighting China’s growing presence in Uganda through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative.
Key investments
China has become a significant development partner for Uganda, investing in infrastructure, energy, and manufacturing. Ambassador Lizhong noted that the bilateral relationship is at its strongest, having been elevated to a “comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership” at last year’s Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing.
“China stands ready to deliver on the 10 partnerships actions for China and Africa to jointly advance modernisation, including supporting Africa in accelerating its industrialisation and agricultural modernisation,” he stated. He also highlighted “implementing zero tariff treatment for 100 percent,” fostering new growth drivers like digital, green, and AI industries, promoting livelihood projects, enhancing governance experience sharing, and raising Africa’s representation in international affairs.
“Many Chinese investors have come to Uganda investing in agro-industry, manufacturing, ICT, oil and gas, green energy and industrial parks. By end of 2024, Chinese enterprises have invested more than $800 million and created tens of thousands of local jobs,” he added.
A key outcome of FOCAC was the granting of zero-tariff access to the Chinese market for select Ugadan goods, including aquatic products such as fish maw and Nile Perch, as well as dried chilies.
“Although it is only half a year since the FOCAC summit, China and Uganda are jointly pushing forward some early outcomes and these include the 100 zero tariff treatment for some goods,” said Ambassador Lizhong. “China and Uganda signed two protocols regarding the export of dried chillies and white fish products. These protocols are already effective and some products for example the fish maw is already being imported by China,” he added.
He also noted increased exports of sesame and coffee, while acknowledging that protocols for fresh products like avocados are still being developed. This initiative provides an alternative to the recently suspended US African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
Pledge
Ambassador Zhang emphasised China’s commitment to supporting Uganda’s health, agriculture, industrialisation, and human capital development. This includes food aid for Karamoja, anti-malarial drug donations, and skills transfer through training programs.
“Every year we provide opportunities for African friends to go to China to receive short course training in areas of agriculture, industrialisation, ICT, and government officials,” he said. Last year, approximately 600 Ugandans benefitted from the training and the number is expected to increase this year. In this way, we hope they can learn from experiences in China and improve their capacities,” he added.
BACKGROUND
These remarks come after the United States of America under President Donald Trump announced a review of its foreign aid under the USAID, and instituted a three month halt to flow of billions of dollars leaving the country’s key sectors in limbo. Experts on international relations and global politics have argued that the stepping back of the United States creates ground for other emerging global powers
