China envoy visits Vision Group

Ugandan media has a duty to tell the country's story by highlighting the numerous development projects, China's ambassador to Uganda, Zheng Zhuqiang has advised.

Zhuqiang who paid a courtesy call to Vision Group head offices on Wednesday, tasked the media to ensure that the public understands how the projects will benefit ordinary.

"Let the Ugandan people know what government is doing and how those projects will benefit them. Those projects are tax payers' money," he said during a meeting.

Zhuqiang was received by the Vision Group's Chief Executive Officer, Robert Kabushenga and the Editor in Chief, Barbara Kaija. He was accompanied by the outgoing spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy, Feng Lin; his successor, Fang Yi and Dan Qiqi, the protocol officer.

Zheng, who has been in Uganda since December, said he was surprised by the scale of infrastructure projects largely funded by the Chinese government and undertaken by Chinese firms.

"I was surprised by the huge scale of construction work in Uganda," he said, pointing to several projects, including the Kampala-Entebbe Expressway, Karuma Dam and the Sukulu Phosphates factory in Tororo.

Zheng said the projects were a good sign of the bilateral cooperation and that Uganda can attract investment, create jobs and aid technological transfer, an experience China has applied for years.

"I am happy to see that our countries have many ongoing projects. I am happy to see that the expressway is almost done and Karuma Dam is nearing completion," he stated.

Kabushenga, who led the Embassy team on a tour around Vision Group's platforms, assured the envoy that Vision Group was ready to partner with the Chinese embassy to promote development in Uganda.

He lauded the embassy for its support to the media, including a donation of a set of laptops handed over to Vision Group yesterday.

Kaija applauded the embassy for facilitating two journalists for a media fellowship in China, and maintaining cordial ties with the country's biggest multi-media company.

Kabushenga explains how the machines in the printery to Amb. Zhuqiang while Kaija looks on during a tour of the Vision Group head offices. Photo by Nicholas Oneal

Ambassador Zheng who has previously worked Botswana and Zimbabwe, replaced Ambassador Zao Yali, who retired from Chinese diplomatic service last year.

He expressed confidence that projects funded by the Chinese government in Uganda will improve well-being of Ugandans once they are completed.

"I have driven along the expressway and the view is nice. It will be a great experience and shorten the travel distance. Karuma Dam will generate electricity to power more rural homes," he stated.

The expressway is a four-lane toll highway providing a fast link from Kampala to Entebbe Airport. The project is funded by China Exim Bank at a cost of $496m and is due to be completed this year.

Skirting above lush swampy vegetation, the highway was designed to ease traffic from the old Entebbe Road, a narrow and congested road.