Uganda’s parliament speaker, Jacob Marksons Oboth, praised China on Wednesday for decades of cooperation in infrastructure, agriculture and healthcare, citing major projects including the Kampala-Entebbe Expressway and hydropower dams.
Oboth was speaking at a reception at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel to mark China’s 77th National Day and welcome China’s newly appointed ambassador to Uganda, Wu Guangrong.
Uganda and China established diplomatic relations in 1962, and Oboth described the relationship as a comprehensive strategic partnership whose benefits extend to ordinary Ugandans.
“The gathering here itself is a reflection of the true kinship and shared bonds between our two nations,” Oboth said.
He cited the Kampala-Entebbe Expressway, Karuma and Isimba hydropower dams, upgrades to Entebbe International Airport and the Namboole National Stadium among projects he said demonstrated the depth of Chinese-Ugandan cooperation.
Oboth also highlighted agricultural cooperation at the Kibimba and Doho farms and the China-Uganda Friendship Hospital as examples of collaboration in food production and healthcare.
Medical teams
The speaker singled out Chinese medical teams for particular recognition, noting that they have served in Uganda since 1983.
The reception also marked the departure of China’s 25th medical team and the arrival of the 26th. Oboth said the teams had made a significant contribution to Uganda’s hospitals and helped save lives.
China-Uganda cooperation now extends beyond infrastructure and healthcare to education, technology, culture, trade, agriculture, security and parliamentary exchanges, Oboth said.
He pledged Parliament’s support for further strengthening relations between the two countries and welcomed Ambassador Wu to Uganda.
The event brought together Ugandan and Chinese officials as the two countries marked more than six decades of diplomatic relations.
