Uganda and China have moved to solidify their long-standing partnership by launching a year-long initiative designed to bridge the gap between grassroots cultural understanding and high-level economic cooperation.
Vice President Jessica Alupo officially inaugurated the 2026 China-Uganda Year of People-to-People Exchanges on Sunday at the Millennium Grounds Lugogo.
Alupo framed the initiative as a critical step in evolving the bilateral relationship from infrastructure-heavy projects into a more integrated social and economic union.
The launch, which coincided with the start of the Lunar New Year of the Horse, signals a strategic shift in how the two nations interact.
Keep up with the latest headlines on WhatsApp | LinkedIn
While previous decades focused on heavy engineering and loans, the 2026 exchange year prioritizes the human connections that Alupo and Chinese diplomats argue are necessary to sustain long-term trade.
Central to the 2026 initiative is a plan to address the trade imbalance by bringing Ugandan producers directly into the Chinese marketplace.
Following Beijing's decision to grant Uganda 100% zero-tariff treatment on exports, Alupo highlighted that the exchange year would serve as a catalyst for local business growth.
She specifically noted new milestones for the agricultural sector, including the launch of aquaculture exports and the expansion of coffee trade from Ugandan companies to Chinese firms. Alupo stated that these developments signify a significant boost to the national economy.
The vice president credited the Belt and Road Initiative and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation for providing the framework necessary to expand trade volumes.
She also cited the role of Chinese firms in constructing major road networks and enhancing the education sector through scholarships in science and technology.
Beyond trade, Alupo emphasized the ideological ties between the National Resistance Movement and the Chinese Communist Party, noting that benchmarking programs in China have allowed NRM cadres to study governance practices that could be applied locally.
The address also signaled Uganda's intent to maintain a unified front with Beijing on the global stage.
Alupo stated that the African Union would continue to rely on Chinese support regarding ongoing efforts to reform the U.N. Security Council.
She commended the resident Chinese community as a key driver of development and, as the Lunar New Year begins, characterized the period as one of action and movement.
Fan Xuecheng, chargé d'affaires at the Chinese Embassy in Uganda, noted that economic ties between the two nations reached new heights in 2025.
Following the zero-tariff decision, trade volumes surged, with Ugandan exports to China climbing to $84 million in the first half of 2025 alone.
Xuecheng added that the Chinese market remains open to Ugandan agricultural products, while Chinese-led industrial parks continue to create local jobs.
The diplomat also cited several landmark infrastructure projects that have transformed Uganda's connectivity, including the Kampala-Entebbe Expressway, the renovation of Entebbe International Airport, and the Karuma and Isimba hydropower plants.
He described these efforts as turning Uganda from a landlocked nation into a land-linked one. Xuecheng emphasized that the future of China-Africa relations is built on a commitment to people-centered cooperation and mutual learning, expressing appreciation for Uganda's support on the one-China principle.
The 2026 initiative rests on the belief that economic gaps cannot be bridged without cultural literacy. Paul Zhang, chairman of the Tian Tang Group and developer of the Sino-Uganda Mbale Industrial Park, emphasized that successful manufacturing and trade require deep mutual understanding.
Zhang described the festivities as a window for Ugandans to experience Chinese traditions firsthand.
Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters
Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox
He noted that while the group's work often focuses on manufacturing, the cultural event was designed to facilitate heart-to-heart connections between the two nations.
The exchange year will focus heavily on educational and vocational training. Xuecheng highlighted the roles of the Confucius Institute and the Lingshi Institute for Technology in fostering language skills and technical expertise.
Currently, Chinese government scholarships allow Ugandan students to study in China, while a growing number of Chinese students are gaining academic experience within Uganda.
Fan called for a future defined by peace and prosperity, expressing hope that the 2026 initiative would inspire new chapters of friendship.
The event marks a significant start to the 2026 China-Uganda Year of People-to-People Exchanges, an initiative aimed at broadening the scope of the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.
As Alupo signed a commemorative horse symbol to mark the start of the initiative, she reaffirmed Kampala's commitment to a shared future in the new era.
