Amb. Wonekha, China's Hu Changchun lead Uganda's 64th Independence celebrations in Beijing

Uganda's Ambassador to China, Oliver Wonekha, and China's Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, Hu Changchun, have led celebrations marking Uganda's 64th independence anniversary in Beijing, with a focus on strengthening bilateral relations, trade and investment.

The reception, held on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at the China World Summit Wing, a Shangri-La hotel in Beijing, brought together government officials, diplomats, business leaders and other associates from China, Uganda and the rest of the world.

Held under the theme "Embracing Our Sovereignty with Hope and Visionary Leadership," the event featured Ugandan cultural performances, coffee and traditional outfit exhibitions, presentations on investment opportunities, and a dinner showcasing Ugandan food and favourite beverages.

Mainland Group Chairman Zhu Chen described Uganda as a promising investment destination, citing its improving business environment and agricultural potential.

He praised the quality of Ugandan coffee, noting that it supports many farming households and remains a major export commodity.

"We are currently advancing a full industry chain coffee project in Uganda, supporting smallholder farmers, improving the quality of coffee beans, developing local processing and opening up import channels to China," Zhu said.

He added that the initiative aims to bring quality Ugandan coffee to Chinese consumers, boost farmers' incomes and increase value addition in the coffee industry.

His remarks come as President Yoweri Museveni continues to call for African countries to stop exporting raw materials without adding value, a practice he has described as "criminal."

Zhu also highlighted Uganda's sunflower seed production, saying the country could supply raw materials to a modern oilseed processing plant his group has established in Tanzania.

The arrangement, he said, would connect Ugandan farmers to regional processing industries, increase their incomes and support the development of East Africa's oilseed sector.

China's Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, Hu Changchun, underscored the importance of continued cooperation between Uganda and China.

The two countries established diplomatic relations on October 18, 1962, and have since expanded cooperation in trade, infrastructure and technical development. China has supported major projects in Uganda, including the Entebbe-Kampala Expressway, Karuma Hydropower Dam and the expansion of Entebbe International Airport.

In September 2024, during the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), bilateral relations were elevated to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

Trade remains a key pillar of the relationship. According to the figures provided, bilateral trade reached $1.46 billion in 2024, while data from the Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC) shows that in July 2026, China exported goods worth $205 million to Uganda and imported $13.2 million.

China's leading exports to Uganda that month included large construction vehicles worth $12.9 million, delivery trucks valued at $12.3 million, and motorcycles and cycles worth $10.5 million.

Uganda's leading exports to China included coffee, valued at $6.64 million, rosin at $3 million, and dried, salted, smoked or brined fish worth $694,000.

The figures highlight the potential to expand Uganda's exports, particularly agricultural products, while strengthening local processing and value addition.

According to Ambassador Wonekha, the reception aimed to strengthen economic diplomacy, deepen Uganda-China relations and keep sustained growth and investment for national transformation at the centre of Uganda's development agenda as the country marked 64 years of independence in Beijing.