Partnerships
Uganda-China Partnership to Benefit 50,000 Ugandans
At least 50,000 Ugandan youths are set to benefit from a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, the United Nations Health Industry Foundation (UNHIF), based in Hangzhou, China, and the Prince Kimbugwe Foundation.
Speaking today at the signing of the MOU at the Ministry’s Offices, Dr. Aminah Zawedde, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, stated that the MOU’s signing speaks to the ambitious strategies of Government like the 10-point growth strategy and the National Development Plan IV which among others aims at expanding the country’s economy from $50 Billion to $500 Billion by 2040.
“All intentions and achievements that we shall realise when implementing this MOU are anchored in our visions and National Development Plans,” she said. “Therefore, this is not just a partnership between institutions but a partnership for people, progress and prosperity both on the side of Ugandans and the Chinese Government,” she added.
The MOU, to be implemented over a three-year period, is founded on three pillars. First is Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Emerging Technology, which aims at accelerating the adoption of AI and the Internet of Things (IoT) to improve Government service delivery. Through the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, a National Innovation Hub has been established in Nakawa, and Regional Innovation Hubs have been established at universities such as Muni, Lira, Soroti, Kabale, and Busitema to accelerate AI adoption.
The second pillar of the MOU is International Exchange Programs. This aims at establishing global pathways for Ugandan Youths to embark on ICT-focused study tours in China to facilitate knowledge transfer. Chinese students will also equally benefit from such exchange visits by coming to Uganda to experience the country’s ICT and digital journey.
Youth Capacity Building is the final pillar of the MOU. With Uganda having one of the youngest populations in the world, with 14 million people (31% of the population) aged between 15 to 30 years according to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics Population Census Report 2024, there is a need to equip them with skills and tools to excel in this digital age. This will be done through, among other things, mentorship and entrepreneurial support.
The delegation from UNHIF was led by their Chairman, Mr Chunxiao Huang, who expressed his organisation’s eagerness to become a long-term strategic investment partner in Uganda. Apart from their role in implementing the MOU, Mr Huang added that they would promote Chinese medicinal trees in Uganda to improve both Ugandans' livelihoods and life expectancy.
Prince Eng. Dr Kimbugwe Edward, the Founder and CEO of the Prince Kimbugwe Foundation, which is tasked with grassroots mobilisation and community impact under the MOU, thanked the Permanent Secretary for actively participating in the MOU development process from the outset. He also added that many investors in China want to invest across the whole of Africa, and countries like Rwanda, Kenya, Nigeria, Malawi, and Zimbabwe have already benefited and are far ahead of everyone else.
As part of the MOU, the Government has offered UNHIF 40 acres of land to construct an Industrial Park in Buyende District and at the end of the 3 years, the success of the MOU will be measured by the number of young people skilled, the innovations developed and the number of Ugandans whose livelihoods have improved.
Speaking today at the signing of the MOU at the Ministry’s Offices, Dr. Aminah Zawedde, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, stated that the MOU’s signing speaks to the ambitious strategies of Government like the 10-point growth strategy and the National Development Plan IV which among others aims at expanding the country’s economy from $50 Billion to $500 Billion by 2040.
“All intentions and achievements that we shall realise when implementing this MOU are anchored in our visions and National Development Plans,” she said. “Therefore, this is not just a partnership between institutions but a partnership for people, progress and prosperity both on the side of Ugandans and the Chinese Government,” she added.
The MOU, to be implemented over a three-year period, is founded on three pillars. First is Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Emerging Technology, which aims at accelerating the adoption of AI and the Internet of Things (IoT) to improve Government service delivery. Through the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, a National Innovation Hub has been established in Nakawa, and Regional Innovation Hubs have been established at universities such as Muni, Lira, Soroti, Kabale, and Busitema to accelerate AI adoption.
The second pillar of the MOU is International Exchange Programs. This aims at establishing global pathways for Ugandan Youths to embark on ICT-focused study tours in China to facilitate knowledge transfer. Chinese students will also equally benefit from such exchange visits by coming to Uganda to experience the country’s ICT and digital journey.
Youth Capacity Building is the final pillar of the MOU. With Uganda having one of the youngest populations in the world, with 14 million people (31% of the population) aged between 15 to 30 years according to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics Population Census Report 2024, there is a need to equip them with skills and tools to excel in this digital age. This will be done through, among other things, mentorship and entrepreneurial support.
The delegation from UNHIF was led by their Chairman, Mr Chunxiao Huang, who expressed his organisation’s eagerness to become a long-term strategic investment partner in Uganda. Apart from their role in implementing the MOU, Mr Huang added that they would promote Chinese medicinal trees in Uganda to improve both Ugandans' livelihoods and life expectancy.
Prince Eng. Dr Kimbugwe Edward, the Founder and CEO of the Prince Kimbugwe Foundation, which is tasked with grassroots mobilisation and community impact under the MOU, thanked the Permanent Secretary for actively participating in the MOU development process from the outset. He also added that many investors in China want to invest across the whole of Africa, and countries like Rwanda, Kenya, Nigeria, Malawi, and Zimbabwe have already benefited and are far ahead of everyone else.
As part of the MOU, the Government has offered UNHIF 40 acres of land to construct an Industrial Park in Buyende District and at the end of the 3 years, the success of the MOU will be measured by the number of young people skilled, the innovations developed and the number of Ugandans whose livelihoods have improved.
The author is a Communications Officer at the Ministry of ICT & National Guidance.
