CDF Kainerugaba takes lessons from China’s high-speed rail system

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Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has experienced first-hand one of the hallmarks of China’s development, the high-speed bullet train.

Travelling with his delegation, including senior commanders Maj. Gen. Felix Busizoori and Maj. Gen. Dan Kakono, from Beijing to Xi’an on Sunday, September 21, 2025, the General completed the 1,200-kilometre journey in under five hours, compared to the full day it would have taken by road.

The train maintained a steady 350 kilometres per hour, providing a model of efficiency that has long been credited for fuelling China’s economic growth.

Gen. Kainerugaba, who is also the Senior Presidential Advisor for Special Operations, has frequently highlighted the need to transform Kampala into a modern, liveable city and relieve Ugandans of the daily frustrations caused by poor road networks and congestion. 

His bullet train experience, according to a statement released by the UPDF media team, offered a practical demonstration of how strategic transport investment can change both productivity and quality of life.

Congestion in Uganda is estimated to drain $800 million annually in lost output. By contrast, China’s rail system moves millions daily with precision and ease.

For Uganda, the example was clear: infrastructure is not just about mobility but also about building a more vibrant economy.

The visit to the defence industry giant, whose relationship with the UPDF dates back to 1986, came at the end of a week of high-level engagements by the CDF. One such engagement was Gen. Kainerugaba’s participation in the Beijing Xiangshan Forum, a premier international security conference where he joined top global military leaders to discuss peace and security challenges.

During his visit, Gen. Kainerugaba has overseen the signing of a new military cooperation agreement between Uganda and China among other things. The agreement lays the foundation for deeper collaboration in the future.