The BCD Director General Dr. Mula Anthony, today warmly welcomed a high-level delegation from the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), led by Director General Yutao Luan, during their official visit to Uganda.
The meeting, held at the Office of the President, served as a platform for BCD to present a comprehensive briefing on its recent projects and achievements. Dr. Mula Anthony, who chaired the session, expressed his sincere gratitude to the Chinese delegation for choosing Uganda as a key partner in advancing China-Africa relations.
Dr. Mula acknowledged the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which had temporarily slowed down the China Uganda exchanges. However, he noted that the relations had since regained momentum after the COVID-19 pandemic as witnessed by Uganda and Busoga’s fruits from the recently held 2024 Forum on China Africa Cooperation Summit held in Beijing. In 2024, Busoga Consortium become the 1st African Region to establish bilateral relatons with a Chinese Province called Liaoning Province. It is also during the same year that Uganda Signed the Chili and Coffee protocols paving way for coffee exports to the Chinese market.
One of the key highlights of the meeting was the announcement of CAFAU’s preparations to host the 2026 Dragon Boat Festival, to be held for the first time in Uganda at the Source of the Nile. The festival is expected to attract participation from several provinces, promoting cultural diversity and people-to-people exchange.
In her remarks, Director General Yutao Luan praised the BCD and the China Africa Friendship Association Uganda (CAFA) for the continued efforts in deepening China-Africa friendship and cooperation.
She shared that CPAFFC, founded in 1954, has built over 400 partnerships with organizations worldwide, established 6 partnerships with Uganda Local Governments, and plays a central role in coordinating sister city, provincial and people-to-people initiatives.
She emphasized that the year 2026 will mark a new era for strengthening grassroots relationships between the people of China and Africa. The Director General also noted that CPAFFC will reach out to China Agricultural University (CAU) to explore avenues for supporting the Busoga Consortium Village Agricultural Model initiative and other Agricultural related programs.
During their visit, the delegation toured key institutions, including the Chinese Embassy in Uganda, Luyanzi Institute of Technology, CCCC, among others. These organizations are recognized for their contributions to education, culture, and innovation, infrastructure development, etc.
On a special note, Luyanzi Institute of Technology was commended for its contributions to training and equipping the young people of Uganda with skills and Chinese language under scholarship arrangements. The institute plans to advance its training to embrace promoting e-commerce, moto vehicle mechanics, and online education as means for boosting education. The institute recently graduated it’s 1st graduands whom among them included 10 young people on the recommendation of the BCD. These have been absorbed in different Chinese factories and are earning well from the China Uganda relations.
Mrs. Wang Lihong, the Goodwill Ambassador of CAFAU, expressed her appreciation to CPAFFC and emphasized the importance of delivering real, community-based projects that impact local lives. She called for more practical initiatives that resonate with the needs of everyday Ugandans.
Director General Luan concluded by encouraging BCD and CAFAU to continue playing a leading role in fostering bilateral ties and announced that CPAFFC will convene a major China-Africa Friendship Forum in 2026 to further consolidate cooperation.
The meeting ended on a high note, with both sides reaffirming their shared commitment to promoting cultural, educational, and developmental partnerships between China and Uganda.