By Francis Emorut     
            
Chinese investment in Uganda amounts to $596 (about sh1.5trillion), the Chinese ambassador Zhao Yali has said.

Yali said the investment is from 1993 up to last year. A total 256 Chinese firms have opened businesses in Uganda creating an employment of 28,000 jobs for Ugandans.

He pointed out that the amount in bilateral trade is $400m (about sh1 trillion)

Yali made the remarks during the celebrations to mark 63 years of china since its independence at the ambassador’s residence in Kololo, Kampala on Monday.

He said the construction of the Kampala Entebbe International Airport Highway commences at the end of this year.

The Chinese government has also given assistance in kind to the Government of Uganda by building Mandela National Stadium, ministry of foreign affairs building and the new Government House and the agricultural technology demonstration centre in Kajjansi, in Wakiso.

He pointed out the Chinese government has also played a tremendous role in supporting the health sector by donating a big quantity of anti-malaria drugs and built the China- Uganda Friendship Hospital in Naguru.

On education ambassador noted that his government grants 50 scholarship yearly to Ugandans and 300 quotas of short term training.  

He pledged that relationship between the two countries will grow from strength to strength.

He commended Government for the remarkable achievement it has attained since its independence 50 years ago.

“After 50 years of struggle and hardworking Uganda people have obtained remarkable achievements in the economic development and social progress,” Yali said.

The minister of foreign affairs Sam Kutesa hailed the Chinese Government for its continued support.

The China 63th anniversary was attended by the diplomatic missions to Uganda and ministers.