China pledges Shs18bn for Naguru Hospital expansion
The Chinese government has committed $5 million (about Shs18.5 billion) to expand and renovate the China-Uganda Friendship Hospital in Naguru.
This announcement was made by Chinese Ambassador Zhang Lizhong during a meeting with senior editors at the Chinese Embassy in Kampala.
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The funding is part of the broader initiatives under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), aimed at strengthening ties and fostering development across Africa.
"Under the FOCAC framework, China plans to provide $5 million to expand and renovate the China-Uganda Friendship Hospital," said Amb Lizhong.
He highlighted China's pivotal role in Uganda's health sector, particularly during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, when China provided emergency medical aid, including vaccines and anti-malaria drugs.
China's involvement in Uganda's healthcare extends beyond financial support. The ambassador noted that Chinese medical teams are dispatched annually to work alongside Ugandan doctors at the hospital, performing thousands of surgeries and outpatient consultations.
These teams also provide free medical care in rural areas and schools.
China's contributions to Uganda are not limited to healthcare. Ambassador Lizhong highlighted significant investments in various sectors, particularly infrastructure.
He pointed to the Kampala-Entebbe Expressway, Uganda's first toll road, as a landmark project financed by a Chinese bank and constructed by a Chinese company.
"The expressway generates over $1 million in income per month and enhances mobility, contributing to Uganda's economic growth," he said.
China has also played a key role in boosting Uganda's trade. Ambassador Lizhong encouraged Ugandan companies to capitalize on tariff-free exports to China.
By the end of 2023, trade volume between the two countries reached $1.3 billion, with Uganda's exports to China increasing by 19.6%.
Recent deals include the export of over 30 tons of roasted coffee and 29 containers of green coffee beans to China.
Looking ahead to the FOCAC meeting in China from September 4-6, Ambassador Lizhong expressed optimism about the continued growth of China-Africa relations.
He reaffirmed China's policy of non-interference in Uganda's internal affairs, including human rights issues, and emphasized the deepening relationship between the two nations.
China's $5 million pledge underscores the strengthening partnership between China and Uganda, built on mutual respect and shared goals for development.
