ZANZIBAR, Tanzania – 21st July 2025
The China–Uganda relationship has grown stronger over the past 30 years, built on a foundation of friendly and collaborative engagement. This bond has paved the way for deeper investment opportunities, particularly through the involvement of the Busoga Region via the Busoga Consortium for Development (BCD), which has actively integrated community-based development programs into the China–Uganda business agenda.
Out of this strong partnership, Busoga Region was given the opportunity to send 10 young entrepreneurs to China last year to undergo training in Rural Transformation, using agriculture as the magical bullet for development. This initiative was designed to complement the Village Agriculture Model (VAM) program, which had just been launched by the Busoga Consortium for Development. The selected young entrepreneurs benefited from hands-on training and returned as technical experts and key pillars to implement and scale the Village Agriculture Model across the region.
Funded by China Agricultural University (CAU) in partnership with Tencent Holdings, this rural transformation initiative closely monitored each participant, who was attached to an expert professor from CAU. As a result, 20 young entrepreneurs from Uganda and Zanzibar have been successfully trained and graduated under this innovative program.
Uganda was represented by a delegation of three Mr. Jonah Kayemba, Ms. Sarah Nabirye, and Mr. Samuel Mwesigwa led by Mr. Anthony Mula, Director General of BCD. Before graduation, participants visited successful youth-led agribusinesses in China and took part in panel discussions focused on the future of youth-driven rural projects.
Each graduate received a Certificate of Completion along with special recognition awards based on their innovation, discipline, and leadership throughout the program.
Professor Li Xiaoyun, a renowned scholar from China Agricultural University, applauded the participants for their commitment and pledged continued mentorship. He emphasized the critical role African youth will play in shaping the global economy, predicting that by 2050, Africa could surpass Asia and Europe due to its rapid population growth and entrepreneurial potential.
The Minister of Trade and Industrial Development for Zanzibar, Hon. Omar Said Shaaban, officiated the graduation ceremony. He congratulated the participants and commended CAU and Tencent for their dedication to sustainable development in Africa.
“This program is a turning point for youth empowerment in rural Africa. The government of Zanzibar is fully committed to supporting such transformative initiatives that ignite innovation and entrepreneurship among our young people,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the Ugandan delegation, Mr. Anthony Mula expressed gratitude for the life-changing experience provided by the program.
“On behalf of the Busoga Consortium and the youth of Uganda, I extend our heartfelt appreciation to CAU and Tencent. This program has equipped our young people with global exposure, technical skills, and the courage to reimagine their communities,” he said. He also called on the East African Legislative Assembly to adopt and support similar initiatives across the region.
At the same event, a new platform—the Global Rural Young Entrepreneurs Initiative—was launched. The initiative aims to expand rural entrepreneurship and innovation across the Global South, giving hope to more African countries to benefit in future cohorts.
As the graduates return home, Uganda, particularly the Busoga region, is already leveraging the skills gained. Under the Village Agriculture Model (VAM), three pilot villages have invested in soya and chili farming, and with the return of these trained entrepreneurs, the model is expected to expand rapidly across the region.
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