China’s Shandong province to offer scholarships to Busoga youth

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JINJA - The Chinese Shandong Province has announced a suite of initiatives including friendship-city scholarships for youth from Busoga region to study in Shandong.

The announcement was a highlight of a speech delivered by Shandong vice-governor Wen Nuan at the signing ceremony for establishment of co-operation between Busoga Consortium for Development (BCD) and the province.

The event held at the Jinja city-based Civil Service College of Uganda in Jinja City on October 13, 2025, was president over by Uganda's First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of East African Community Affairs, Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, Third Deputy Prime Minister Rukia Nakadama, local leaders and government officials.

The agreement was signed by Nuan and BCD governor Bishop Frank Tibagendeka on behalf of Busoga.

The core of the cultural exchange initiative is Shandong’s commitment to offer friendship-city scholarships to young individuals from Busoga.

As a major educational hub with 167 institutions of higher learning, Shandong aims to foster mutual understanding and lasting amity by welcoming students to pursue further studies.

“We look forward to expanding cultural exchanges, fostering mutual understanding, and jointly creating a friendly future,” Nuan said.

The meeting culminated in a significant step toward formalising the relationship, with two parties signing a memorandum of understanding to establish a friendly cooperative relationship.

“A key practical outcome of the visit is the joint launch of the Afribridge Bamboo Forest Ecological program—the initiative is poised to promote the development of local bamboo resources and support green growth in Busoga, serving a tangible commitment to sustainable development,” Nuan said.

Economic powerhouse backs development

Nuan further introduced Shandong as a major economic and cultural powerhouse on china’s eastern coast and the birthplace of Confucius.

Ranking third in China’s economy, Shandong’s GDP exceeded $1.38 trillion last year and boasts all 41 industrial categories classified by the United Nations.

In her remarks, Kadaga, who is also the BCD’s patron, highlighted the immediate, practical benefits expected from the partnership.

"This is an additional cooperation that will focus on scholarships, training in agriculture and manufacturing, and the creation of markets for products like chili and soya," Kadaga stated.

She emphasised a proactive, market-driven approach saying: We're not going to sit and work out the details. We're going to see what they require in this market, and we grow for them, design for them, and create for that market.

Kadaga noted that this collaboration is an example of strong mixed-level corporation between Chinese provinces and Ugandan, expressing pride in Busoga’s outstanding achievements. 

Government reaffirms support and commitment

Nakadama, who is also BCD-Busoga Ministerial Committee chairperson affirmed the Government's full support.

"Busoga and indeed Uganda welcome this development and appreciates the emerging co-operation between BCD and Shandong Province with great expectation," Nakadama said.

She committed the Ministerial Committee to ensuring the aspirations of the co-operation receive the desired attention of the executive both in the cabinet and in their daily work to drive Busoga’s transformation.

“I profoundly would like to convey my appreciation and indeed the appreciation of the Government of Uganda to the Government of the People’s Republic of China for the very warm reception that was extended to me in July 2024 when I led a Busoga delegation for the 4th Forum on China Africa Local Government Cooperation in Guangzhou City of China.

“This co-operation is therefore indeed a fruit of the July 2024 Forum on China Africa Local Government Cooperation and the September 2024 Forum on China Africa Cooperation (FOCAC),” She said.

Nakadama added that they will promote the signed co-operation during their China-Uganda and China-Africa exchanges to ensure the attainment of the desire common prosperity.

In a gesture of immediate support, the Chinese delegation also donated school bags, textiles, art supplies, and sporting equipment to the pupils and students from various schools in Busoga which were present.

From L-R: Wang Jianxin, the Economic Counsellor at the Chinese Embassy in Uganda, Shandong Province's Vice Chairperson Wen Nuan, First Deputy Prime Minister Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, BCD's Governor Bishop Frank Tibagendeka, Third Deputy Prime Minister Rukia Nakadama and BCD's Director General Anthony Mula pose for a group photograph after signing an agreement for the establishment of cooperation between BCD and Shandong Province at the Civil Service College of Uganda, Jinja City, on Monday. (Photo by Donald Kiirya)

A shared vision

Tibagendeka appreciated the strong friendship and growing co-operation between Busoga and Shandong, noting the shared vision for transformation through agriculture, technology and industry.

BCD's Governor Bishop Frank Tibagendeka (left) handing over a copy of the Busoga Development Agenda to the Shandong Province Vice Governor Wen Nuan (right) while at the signing ceremony for the establishment of cooperation between BCD and Shandong Province at the Civil Service College of Uganda, Jinja City on Monday. (Photo by Donald Kiirya)

Tibagendeka also handed over a copy of the Busoga Development Agenda (BDA) to the Vice-Governor, symbolising Busoga’s full commitment to long-term collaboration and shared growth.

BCD director general Anthony Mula said the partnership between Busoga and Shandong has grown over the time through trust and collaboration, now bearing fruits in trade, education and agriculture.

Mula thanked Shandong Province for bonding with Busoga and pledged BCD’s commitment to turning this cooperation into real opportunities for the people.

“This partnership demonstrates Busoga’s readiness to engage with global partners to achieve shared growth and development—it represents a new chapter of opportunity for the people of Busoga.

He added that the cooperation is set to focus on several key pillars which include: Trade, Industrial Development, Agriculture, Education, Health and Mineral Development.

A new chapter for prosperity

Stephen Kisa Bakubalwayo, the Member of Parliament for Luuka South, spoke on the importance of the Chinese Village Agricultural Model (VAM), which he noted works closely to bring prosperity through Uganda's Parish Development Model (PDM).