Kampala, Uganda — Uganda’s drive to attract international investors has received a major boost as a high-level delegation of Chinese investors visited the country to explore opportunities in key strategic sectors. The engagement, facilitated by the Embassy of Uganda in Beijing under the coordination of Ambassador Oliver Wonekha, underscores government’s commitment to expanding international economic partnerships in line with President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s vision for trade, investment, and industrial modernization.
The visit followed the Annual Ambassadors’ Retreat in Gulu, where Uganda’s envoys reaffirmed their role in positioning the country as a competitive global investment destination.
Speaking on behalf of the Director General of the Uganda Investment Authority (UIA), Mr. Peter Muramira outlined priority sectors open for investment including agriculture, manufacturing, oil and gas, infrastructure, and industrial park development. He also pointed to Uganda’s growing focus on renewable energy initiatives such as bamboo plantations and processing, as well as technical training and scholarship programs aimed at building a skilled workforce.
Muramira highlighted encouraging trade figures, noting that Uganda’s exports to China grew by 127% between February 2024 and February 2025. This surge, he said, reflects Uganda’s expanding export potential and the country’s efforts to diversify its trade portfolio.
The Chinese delegation was led by Mr. Diao Chunhe, Chairman of the Alliance of Chinese Business in Africa for Social Responsibilities. He praised Uganda’s favorable investment climate, describing it as one of the continent’s most attractive markets.
“Uganda’s recognition as the Best Investment Destination in Africa 2024 and its record $3.034 billion in foreign direct investment during the last fiscal year are clear indicators of the country’s strong investment credentials,” Mr. Diao said.
He cited projects such as the Karuma Hydropower Plant, Buikwe Water Supply Project, and backbone communication networks as successful examples of Uganda-China cooperation, stressing the need for industrial collaboration, social responsibility, and shared prosperity as key pillars of sustainable partnerships.
Mr. Wang Jianxun, Economic and Commercial Counsellor at the Chinese Embassy in Uganda, congratulated both parties on the success of the investment forum. He reaffirmed China’s long-standing ties with Uganda, which date back to 1962, and pledged continued support in mobilizing responsible Chinese enterprises to invest in Uganda.
Uganda remains focused on its Vision 2040 and the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV), with agriculture, energy, industrialization, and digital development at the core of its economic agenda.
This latest engagement not only cements Uganda’s position as a leading investment hub in Africa but also signals a new chapter of mutually beneficial cooperation between Uganda and China, aimed at driving economic growth, job creation, and sustainable development.
