New Chinese Ambassador flags-off 31 Ugandan students to China for studies
“You are not only students, but also potential bridges and new bonds between our two countries,” Wu said.
Recipients of the 2026 CSC and MOFCOM scholarship pose for a photo with the new Chinese ambassador Wu Guangrong. (Photo by Richard Sanya)
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The newly appointed Chinese Ambassador to Uganda, Wu Guangrong, has flagged off 31 students who won Chinese scholarships for the year 2026.
The event that took place at the Chinese Embassy in Kampala on Thursday, August 13, 2026, marked the beginning of Wu's diplomatic mission in Uganda.
Wu, who arrived in Uganda three days ago, said his decision to make youth engagement one of his first activities in Uganda reflected the importance he attaches to people-to-people exchanges in strengthening relations between Uganda and China.
“I am very pleased to meet with the youth of Uganda as one of my first engagements,” Wu said.
He described the meeting as the beginning of a new chapter in his diplomatic career, just as the students were preparing to begin their journey to China.
He congratulated the students on being selected for the different scholarship programmes, adding that their journey would be important not only for their academic and professional development, but also for relations between the two countries.
“You are not only students, but also potential bridges and new bonds between our two countries,” he said.
Wu said the Uganda-China relations have a long history and a strong foundation, noting that political trust and practical cooperation between the two countries has continued to deepen under the leadership of China's Xi Jinping and Uganda's Yoweri Museveni.
He said the breadth of cooperation between the two countries became apparent to him during his preparations for his new assignment in Uganda.
Before travelling to Uganda, Wu said he interacted with dozens of government departments and institutions in China involved in cooperation with Uganda.
He described this as a reflection of the breadth and depth of the relationship between Uganda and China.
The ambassador pointed out infrastructure, industrial development, agriculture, healthcare, education and human resource development as some of the areas in which the two countries have developed close cooperation.
He also noted the contribution of Chinese companies to Uganda's development and the growing opportunities for Ugandan students, professionals and government officials to study, train and exchange experiences in China.
However, Wu said people-to-people exchanges were particularly important because they create lasting connections between citizens of different countries.
“Infrastructure can connect cities, trade can connect markets, diplomacy can connect governments, and education can connect people,” he said.
He added that it was ultimately people who determine the future of relations between countries.
Wu's engagement with the scholarship students comes as China and Africa mark 2026 as the Year of People-to-People Exchanges.
In Uganda, Vice-President Jessica Alupo officially launched the China-Uganda Year of People-to-People Exchanges in February, highlighting the importance attached to cultural and people-to-people cooperation between the two countries.
Wu said the scholarship beneficiaries were well placed to embody the spirit of the initiative.
He urged the beneficiaries to use their time in China to build friendships, acquire knowledge and gain a deeper understanding of the Chinese society and culture.
“I hope you will bring back friendships, experiences, knowledge and a better understanding of another country and another culture,” he said.
He said China was not only a country with a long history and rich civilisation, but also one undergoing rapid economic and technological transformation.
Wu highlighted China's efforts in high-quality development, technological innovation, modernisation and openness, particularly its growing focus on artificial intelligence.
He said technological progress should be open, inclusive and benefit countries and people around the world.
Wu challenged the students to take advantage of their stay in China to gain new perspectives on how technology can contribute to Uganda's development.
The ambassador further urged the scholarship beneficiaries to return to Uganda with more than academic qualifications, adding that knowledge and professional skills acquired in China should be accompanied by friendships and a deeper understanding of the Chinese people.
“When you return to Uganda, I hope you will bring back not only knowledge and qualifications, but also a deeper friendship with China and the Chinese people,” Wu said.
Doreen Akunda, president of the China Alumni Association in Uganda, congratulated the scholarship beneficiaries and urged them to represent Uganda well.
"As you take your studies in China, we hope and expect you to abide by the rules and laws of the country where you are going to respect the culture," Akunda said.
The students expressed gratitude for the opportunity to study in China.
Joshua Ampumuza, who is heading to Harbin University of Commerce to pursue a Masters of Tourism and Hotel Management, said: "I am super excited to have attained this scholarship, and I hope to represent the nation on this transformative chapter in life."