Kyabazinga, Nakadama root for partnerships in China

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GUANGZHOU - The third deputy Prime Minister, Rukia Isanga Nakadama, and the Kyabazinga of Busoga, William Gabula Nadiope IV, led a delegation from Uganda particularly from Busoga sub-region, under Busoga Consortium for Development (BCD), to attend the 5th Forum on China Africa Local Government Cooperation (FCALGC) in Guangzhou China.

The forum was attended by over 400 African Leaders from 46 Countries and Chinese leaders, to reflect on the China-Africa cooperation and draw lessons for deepening cooperation through fostering Local Government’s cooperation.

The Forum which was hosted by the China People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and Guangdong provincial leadership was held on the theme “working together for high-level China-Africa community with a shared future”.

Third deputy Prime Minister of Uganda Rukia Nakadama (L) who led the Uganda-Busoga delegation to China chatting with Hao Peng (R) the Party Secretary of Liaoning Provincial People's Congress while in Shenyang City China on July 5th, 2024. (Courtesy Photo)

While addressing the Forum, Nakadama, conveyed the gratitude of President of the Republic of Uganda Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the entire Uganda Government to China for the sustained genuine friendship which she said had continued to grow from strength to strength over the years.

She noted that East Africa’s relations with China can be tracked as early as 1949 shortly after the Communist victory against imperialism.

To further underscore the long-standing history of China-Africa cooperation, Nakadama narrated China’s role in the liberation of Africa way back in the 1940s at a time when even China was still economically underdeveloped with an approximate GDP per capita of $947 but committed to helping Africa.

Third deputy Prime Minister Rukia Isanga Nakadama (C), Kyabazinga of Busoga William Gabula Nadiope IV (5th L), the Minister of State for Lands, Housing and Urban Development Persis Namuganza (5th R), Busoga Consortium Development's Director General Anthony Mula (R) and other leaders from Busoga in China. (Courtesy Photo)

Nakadama, who is also the chairperson for the Ministerial Council of Busoga Consortium for Development, thanked President Xi Jinping and the Chinese Government for the support extended to Uganda during the NAM Summit and the G77 plus China Summit held in Kampala in January 2024.

She further emphasized Uganda’s commitment to working together with China in the advancement of the Global Development Initiatives, the Global Security Initiatives and the Global Security Initiatives to steer Uganda and Africa to timely achievement of the SDGs.

As part of the framework for deepening cooperation between Africa and China through twining of Local Governments, Chinese and African leaders who graced the Forum witnessed the signing of a cooperation agreement between Uganda’s Busoga Consortium for Development/Province and Liaoning Province of China.

Kyabazinga of Busoga William Gabula Nadiope IV remarks in China. (Courtesy Photo)

The established provincial bilateral relations will focus on promotion of common prosperity and development with a focus on economy; trade and investment promotion; science and technology; cultural exchanges; education and sports; and health, among others.

In Guangzhou, Simon Wakaze, the Governor of BCD and Wang Jian displayed signed cooperation agreements during the 5th FCALGC on 9th July 2024.

According to the Chinese Bureau of Statistics Report 2022, Liaoning Province has a population of approximately 42 million people, a GDP of $430.77 billion, GDP Per Capita of $9,495.9, a Total Trade Volume of $117.56 billion and a Value of Exports $53.29 billion.

The Uganda-Busoga delegation to China in a meeting while in Shenyang City China on July 5th, 2024. (Courtesy Photo)

Prior to arriving in Guangzhou City for the 5th Forum on China Africa Local Government Cooperation, Kyabazinga of Busoga Kingdom William Gabula Nadiope IV and Nakadama led the Busoga delegation for a three-day official visit to Liaoning Province on the invitation of the Governor of the Province Li Lecheng.

While in Liaoning Province, the delegation toured some of the major historical traditional cultural establishments such as the Shenyang Imperial Palace and Industrial museums, educational institutions like Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the headquarters of Liaoning Agricultural Products Trading Corporation that signed a trading agreement for Soya beans, Corn, Sim-sim and cassava with the Busoga Consortium in November 2023, and also visited well hope foods company for agricultural products processing.

The Governor Busoga Consortium for Development Simon Wakaze (L), Kyabazinga of Busoga William Gabula Nadiope IV (2nd R), Third Deputy Prime Minister of Uganda Rukia Isanga Nakadama (2nd L) and Busoga Consortium for Development's Director General Anthony Mula (R) at the Shenyang Imperial Palace in Liaoning Province. (Courtesy Photo)

The delegation also held bilateral discussions with the Party Secretary of Liaoning Provincial Committee of CPC and the Chairman of Liaoning People’s Congress Hao Peng.

The leaders of both provinces agreed to mutually work together to develop their provinces and guide the transformation of their people to prosperity.

While meeting the leadership of the Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Kyabazinga Gabula offered land to the Government of Liaoning to set up the first therapy centre and Hospital for Traditional Medicine in East Africa.

Kyabazinga of Busoga William Gabula Nadiope IV (C), Third Deputy Prime Minister of Uganda Rukia Isanga Nakadama (2nd L), Busoga Kingdom's First deputy Prime Minister Prof. Dr. Muhamadi Lubega (2nd R), Kyabazinga Affairs Minister Yudaya Babirye (L) and other leaders from Busoga touring the Shenyang Imperial Palace in Liaoning Province. (Courtesy Photo)

Consensus was also reached with Liaoning Agricultural Products Corporation Ltd for the start of exporting Sim-Sim to the Chinese market by Busoga and Uganda at large, cooperation with the Liaoning Bureau of Culture support towards conservation, management, and marketing of cultural establishments was also proposed.

Leaders who attended the forum included the Vice Premier of the State Council of China Liu Guozhong, Prime Minister of Madagascar Ntasy Christian, the Minister of State for Housing of Uganda Princess Persis Namuganza, the Chairperson of the Uganda Local Government Commission Isaac Musumba, First Deputy Prime Minister of Busoga Kingdom Owek Prof. Dr. Muhamadi Lubega and the Director General of BCD Anthony Mula among others. 

On June 28th, 2024, the Uganda-Busoga delegation was officially flagged off by Vice President Jessica Alupo at the Office of the President, Kampala, departed for China on July 3rd, 2024 and returned to Uganda on July 12th, 2024 following completion of its official visit.