1. Political relations

 

China and Uganda established diplomatic relations on October 18, 1962. During the period of 1962-1985, bilateral relations between the two countries witnessed a steady development in spite of the regime changes in Uganda. However, the two countries saw relatively few high-level exchanges with each other during the time.

 

At the 26th General Assembly of the UN in 1971, Uganda voted in favor of the resolution on the restoration of China's lawful seat in the world body. Bilateral relations between the two countries entered a new stage of development after the National Resistance Movement of Uganda came to power in 1986, with bilateral cooperation expanding and mutual high-level exchanges increasing. Uganda backed China's stance twice at the sessions of the UN Human Rights Commission in 1996 and 1997. In 2000, Uganda supported the bill put forward by China on the maintaining and observing of the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty in the UN.

 

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, Chinese leaders who visited Uganda include: State Councilor Gu Mu (April 1987); Foreign Minister Qian Qichen (January 1991); Li Ruihuan, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau and secretary of Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) (July 1991); Chen Muhua, special envoy of the Chinese government and vice chairperson of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) (April 1992); Vice Premier Jiang Chunyun (April 1997); Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan (January 1999); Xu Jialu, vice chairman of the NPC Standing Committee (January 1999); Jia Qinglin, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and secretary of Beijing municipal Party committee (July 2000); Hu Jintao, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and vice president (January 2001); and Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing (January 2004).

 

The Ugandan leaders who visited China are as follows: Prime Minister A. M. Obote (July 1965); Vice President P. Muwanga (August 1984); Foreign Minister Ibrahim Mukiibi (January 1987); President Yoweri K. Museveni (March 1989 and January 1996); Paul K. Ssemogerere, second deputy prime minister and foreign minister (March 1989); Foreign Minister R. Rugunda (January 1996); First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Eriya Kategaya (visiting in 1992 and April 1998 respectively, and attending the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation/Ministerial Conference in Beijing in October 2000); Brig. Moses Ali, second deputy prime minister and minister for tourism, trade and industry (July 1999); Third Deputy Prime Minster and Foreign Minister Wapakabulo (April 2002); and Edward Ssekandi, speaker of the Uganda Parliament (October 2002).

 

2. Trade relations and economic and technical cooperation

 

Since 1962, the established projects China has helped Uganda to set up include the Kibimba and Doho Rice Schemes, the Kampala Ice Plant, methane-generating pits, the Foodstuff Porcelain Research Center and the National Stadium. China has also provided Uganda with dump trucks, porcelain research equipment and other small-scale processing equipment and necessary accessories. Chinese companies began contracting and service business in Uganda in 1987, mainly covering housing projects, road and bridge construction. There are 10 Chinese companies running that kind of business in Uganda, including Sichuan International Economic and Technical Cooperation Co Ltd and Jiangsu International Economic and Technical Cooperation Co Ltd.

 

China and Uganda established trade relations in 1960. In 2005, the trade volume between the two countries came to US$99.37 million, among which China's export was US$79.37 million, and import US$20 million. China's main exports to Uganda are mechanical and electrical appliances, textiles, garments, pharmaceuticals, porcelain and enamel products, and footwear. China's imports from Uganda are coffee and plastics.

 

3. Exchanges and cooperation in the fields of culture, education, health and military affairs

 

China and Uganda have carried out various kinds of cultural exchanges and cooperation since the establishment of diplomatic relations. The two countries signed a cultural cooperation agreement in June 1985. In August 1999 China and Uganda signed the 2000-2002 Implementation Program of the Agreement on the Cultural Cooperation Between China and Uganda. Since 1959, China has altogether received 313 Ugandan students. By the end of 2004, there were 41 Ugandan students studying in China. Since 1983 China has already sent 11 medical teams to Uganda. By the end of 2004 there were eight Chinese medical personnel working in Uganda.

 

Ugandan military officials who visited China include: Defense Minister F. Nyangweso (September 1973), Commander of the National Liberation Army Tito Okello (September 1982), Vice President and Minister of Defense P. Muwanga (August 1984), and State Minister of Defense Amama Mbabazi (1993 and 1996). In January 1996, General Liu Jingsong, commander of the Lanzhou Military Area Command, paid a visit to Uganda.

 

4. Important agreements and documents

 

The Joint Communiqué on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations Between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Uganda (October 18,1962)

 

(Chinese Foreign Ministry October 10, 2006)