By Faridah N Kulumba
Africa-Press – Uganda. Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) also first son Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba and Colonel Zhang Hao, the Chinese Military Attaché to Uganda, had a meeting that was held in the East African country at the Special Forces Command (SFC) Headquarters in Entebbe. Colonel Hao’s courtesy visit underscored the deep-rooted and historic relations between the Republic of Uganda and the People’s Republic of China. The meeting focused on strengthening defence cooperation between the two countries.
Meeting’s agenda
The meeting between Uganda and Chines top defence official was aimed to reflect on the enduring friendship and cooperation that have characterized Uganda-China relations over the years. The two nations emphasized the importance of this longstanding partnership and expressed their commitment to further strengthen military cooperation in areas of mutual interest. Chinese government’s move of deploying Colonel Zhang the first Chinese Military Attaché to Uganda, marks a significant milestone in the bilateral relationship, symbolizing an upgrade and strengthening of strategic cooperation between the two nations.
Strategic move
Uganda and China’s enhanced cooperation is expected to bring significant benefits to both nations, particularly in the realm of defence and security. Lately, the government of Uganda is aiming at modernizing its military forces, the support and expertise from China will play a crucial role in achieving these goals. The meetings also highlight Uganda’s strategic positioning in fostering international defence collaborations, and ensuring regional stability and security. The visit by Colonel Zhang Hao to Uganda will improve the dynamic and evolving nature of Uganda-China relations. Both countries look forward to a future of enhanced cooperation and mutual benefit, the foundation laid by these diplomatic engagements promises a stronger, more resilient partnership in the years to come.
Uganda and China’s recent engagements
Recently, Gen Muhoozi met the Chinese Ambassador to Uganda days after meeting a delegation from China North Industries Group Corporation Limited (NORINCO) one of the largest aerospace and defence companies in the world. Both countries have been reviewing ongoing projects in the defence and security sector. Over the past 60 years, the China- Uganda economic and trade relations have made significant progress. In 2019, the relationship between Uganda and China was upgraded to the level of Comprehensive Cooperation Partnership with a Joint Commission on Trade, Economic, Investment, and Technical Cooperation (JCTEIT) as a bilateral framework of economic cooperation.
Uganda’s recent security meeting
Uganda’s CDF and Senior Presidential Advisor for Special Operations Muhoozi recently met military delegations from the United States, China, Turkey, and the UK among others. On July 31, Gen Muhoozi held talks with Russian military experts in Uganda. The Russian delegation was led by Maj. Gen. Sergey Marchuk, who was recently posted to Uganda. According to a brief statement from the CDF’s office, “During the meeting, the General (Muhoozi) and the Russian experts engaged in discussions on various military matters of mutual interest, exploring opportunities for cooperation and collaboration.” The diplomatic relations between Russia and Uganda date back to October 13, 1962. On February 9, 1965, the USSR and Uganda signed a Trade Agreement in Kampala, Uganda. On November 18, 2003, Uganda and Russia signed the Military and Technical Cooperation Agreement in Kampala. Before 1990, Russia had supplied Uganda with T-72 and PT-76 tanks, BTR-60 APCs, and MiG-21 fighters. These were followed by T-90S tanks and Su-30MK2 fighters after 199
Uganda and China military relations
The two nations’ bilateral ties were established on October 18, 1962. Trade between the two nations totalled over USD 1 billion in 2017. Additionally, Chinese companies have contributed significantly to the building of infrastructure in Uganda. China also owns about 20 percent of Uganda’s debt, equivalent to about USD 1.6 billion. China was one of the first nations to recognize the newly independent nation. In 1971, Uganda was one of 76 nations that voted in favour of Resolution 2758 restoring United Nations (UN) membership to the Chinese government. Following Yoweri Museveni’s rise to power in 1986, the two nations have developed closer ties. The literature produced and used by the National Resistance Army (NRA), President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s guerilla army that fought in the Luweero bushes from 1981-1986 called its mission a “protracted people’s war.” The doctrine of “people’s war”, sometimes called “protracted people’s war,” guided the vast majority of Africa’s guerrilla movements, including those that sided with the Soviet Union after the Sino-Soviet split of 1960. A new report notes that the above terminology, which was seen as a cheap but effective blueprint for waging war, was part of a larger political context and ideological framework of Chinese professional military education (PME) that China used to influence the organizational development of African guerrilla armies at the time. On Feb. 10, 2022, Gen Muhoozi posted his picture he took when he was attending a course in China 27 years ago. According to Muhoozi’s tweets, he visited Hunan Province, the birthplace of Mao in 1995. Muhoozi joined the army in 1999 but it appears that the course he tweeted about was military-related. President Museveni has also been a great adherent of Chinese ideology constantly referencing Mao and Deng Xiaoping; one of Mao’s successors, in his speeches and writings. In March 2021, Muhoozithen commandant of Special Forces Command (SFC) announced that the elite unit was working with Poly Technologies, a Chinese military contractor that manufactures CS/VP3 Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs). Muhoozi met with four officials from Poly Technologies in Uganda.
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