Outgoing Chinese envoy celebrated for contribution to bilateral relations

__________________

Outgoing Chinese Ambassador to Uganda Zhang Lizhong has been celebrated for his outstanding contribution to the China-Uganda relations.

Guests, including political, career diplomats, military, heads of state, corporations, ambassadors, business and media personalities, graced a farewell dinner at the Chinese Embassy located in Kololo, Kampala city, to celebrate the contribution of the Chinese diplomat whose four-year tour of duty ends this month.

“I convey warm greetings and best wishes from His Excellency, the President, Gen. Yoweri Museveni, the President of the Republic of Uganda, who attaches great importance to the long-standing and strategic partnership between Uganda and China and greatly appreciates your contribution to strengthening this valid relationship,” Foreign Affairs Ministry permanent secretary Vincent Bagiire told Lizhong on January 20, 2026.

“Beyond the achievements that have been recorded during your tenure, you will be remembered for your distinct working style and personal approach to diplomacy. I personally regarded you as a smart operator in many ways. And in your engagements with the government institutions, the private sector and local communities, you consistently demonstrated attentiveness and a deep respect for Uganda's people and institutions,” Bagiire, who was the chief guest, said.

Vicent Bagire, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, addressing guests at the farewell party of China's Ambassador to Uganda, Zhang Lizhong. (Credit: David Lukiiza)

He added that the outgoing ambassador approached his work with clarity of purpose, patience in dialogue and a genuine willingness to listen to others, which are qualities Lizhong trusts. According to Bagiire, this made their work with Lizhong as a person and China in general very easy. 

"Your tenure coincided with a period in which co-operation between Uganda has been increasingly tangible and very development-oriented. Many of us have observed first-hand the visible impact of the Chinese-led projects that have greatly transformed both the physical and industrial infrastructure in Uganda,” Bagiire said.

He said projects such as Kampala Express Highway continue to enhance connectivity between the capital and ‘our’ international gateway, serving as a practical symbol of bilateral co-operation.

Bagiire said the industrial parks in Kapeka and Mbale are not only offering jobs to ‘our’ young people, but also providing affordable products, which we previously used to import as a country.

“In the energy sector, sustained collaboration for major hydropower projects, including Karuma and Isimba, has contributed meaningfully to strengthening Uganda's electricity generation, thereby supporting industrial growth and productivity. During your tenure, Chinese-backed enterprises in steel, textiles, packaging, construction and materials, among others, have expanded operations and created employment for thousands of Ugandans. They have also strengthened local value addition, which is one of our priority economic policies,” Bagiire said.

Uganda lauded for generosity

Zhang used the occasion to laud Ugandans and the leaders for their generosity and friendship, admitting that he loved Uganda so much.

“Your warmth, friendship and generosity have run through my entire tenure. On behalf of my family and all my colleagues at the Embassy, I would like to extend my most sincere thanks to the government and people of Uganda, to my fellow members of diplomatic missions, and to all Chinese nationals who are working hard here in Uganda. I am honoured to have served as Chinese Ambassador to Uganda during four historic years in which China–Uganda relations made a major leap forward. These have been years of climbing step by step and building high together,” Zhang said.

He added that the period in Uganda has witnessed unprecedented deepening of strategic mutual trust between China and Uganda, and of joining hands to uphold international justice.

“Under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Museveni, China–Uganda relations were elevated to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, opening a new chapter in our history. As key forces in the rise of the Global South, Uganda has served as chair of the Non-Aligned Movement and of the Group of 77, and has successfully hosted the 19th NAM Summit and the Third South Summit. Chinese Vice Premier Liu Guozhong led a delegation to these important events, joining Uganda and other developing countries in taking firm steps forward in our collective rise,” he said.

He added, “In the United Nations and other multilateral platforms, our two countries have stood side by side, firmly safeguarding each other’s core interests, and together we have raised the most resolute voice in unison for developing countries’ solidarity and self-reliance, shared development and opposition to hegemony. These have been four years of pursuing the dream of modernisation together and opening a new chapter of practical cooperation.”

China's Ambassador to Uganda, Zhang Lizhong, with Vision Group CEO, Don Wanyama, at his farewell party at the Chinese embassy headquarters in Kololo on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. (Credit: David Lukiiza)

Fruits of co-operation

Zhang disclosed that, riding the winds of the Forum on China–Africa Co-operation (FOCAC) Beijing Summit, China presented a golden gift to Africa: A 100% tariff exemption for all exports from African countries with diplomatic ties with China.

“Thanks to this robust policy support, Uganda’s coffee exports to China surged by 190% year-on-year as of March 2025, and China has become Uganda’s second-largest coffee export market in Asia.

From Chinese agricultural expert teams helping tens of thousands of farmers to double their yields and increase their incomes, to Chinese bamboo experts sharing bamboo charcoal techniques and lighting up green productivity; from the humming factories in the Liao Shen Industrial Park to the thriving industries in Mbale Industrial Park - together we have explored a “small and beautiful” model of co-operation that truly focuses on building local capacity and helping people to stand on their own feet. It has enabled the fruits of development to reach thousands upon thousands of households, and extended the road to modernisation deep into the countryside and the fields,” Zhang said.

He added, “Together we have seen the Kampala–Entebbe Expressway completed, linking the aviation hub, the capital’s core area and the international conference centre, and forming a major artery connecting Uganda to the world. Together, we have seen the modernisation and expansion of Entebbe International Airport, which, in its renewed form, will welcome guests from across the globe and help transform Uganda from a landlocked country into a land-linked country.

Together, we have seen the Karuma Hydropower Plant continuously delivering clean electricity, lighting up households and powering economic and social transformation. These projects are vivid examples of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation between China and Uganda, and are helping Uganda move towards a more prosperous tomorrow.”