Uganda and China are seeking to deepen their longstanding defence cooperation, with a particular focus on military training, technical cooperation and the development of Uganda’s military-industrial complex.
The Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Hon. Kiryowa Kiwanuka, made the remarks during a meeting with Chinese Ambassador to Uganda Wu Guangrong, who paid a courtesy call at the Ministry’s headquarters in Mbuya, Kampala.
Kiryowa said Uganda remains committed to strengthening its bilateral relationship with China, describing the two countries’ defence cooperation as an area with potential for further expansion.
“You have our full assurance of our continued support and continued relationship. Your task of furthering and deepening the relationship between Uganda and China is therefore made easy,” Kiryowa told the Ambassador.
The Minister singled out the National Enterprise Corporation (NEC), the commercial arm of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces, as a key platform for expanding cooperation, particularly in developing Uganda’s military-industrial capacity.
He said Uganda intends to place greater emphasis on building the country’s military-industrial complex and expanding existing cooperation with China.
“We are going to emphasise a lot on the growth of our military-industrial complex. That military-industrial complex is under NEC, and we are doing a lot of things with you already. We intend to do a lot more with you,” he said.
Ambassador Wu said China and Uganda have maintained diplomatic relations for more than six decades, with cooperation continuing despite changes in the international environment.
He said China’s Ministry of National Defence and the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) have maintained close exchanges with Uganda’s Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs and the UPDF.
According to Wu, the two countries have cooperated in areas including high-level exchanges, strategic dialogue, personnel training, military equipment and technical cooperation.
The Chinese Ambassador also commended the Ugandan Government and the UPDF for their contribution to national security and regional peace and stability.
He highlighted Uganda’s participation in African peace and security efforts, including its role in peace-support operations in Somalia and its engagement in addressing wider regional security challenges.
The meeting brought together senior Ugandan defence officials, including Under Secretary for Finance and Administration Edith Buturo, Chief of Joint Staff Lt Gen Jack Bakasumba and NEC Managing Director Lt Gen James Mugira.
China’s Military Attaché to Uganda, Col Zhang Ho, also attended the meeting.
The discussions come as Uganda continues to position the development of its defence industrial capacity as part of its broader efforts to strengthen local production, technical capabilities and self-reliance in the defence sector.