By Richard Onapatum
Kampala, — Vice President Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Alupo has flagged off a high-powered delegation under the Busoga Development Consortium to China. The delegation, led by Rt. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga, the 1st Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of EAC Affairs, and His Royal Highness the Kyabazinga of Busoga William Gabula IV, will depart on July 3rd and 6th for a cooperative mission with Liaoning Province.
At the flag-off, VP Alupo emphasized the importance of using this cooperation to boost Uganda’s trade volumes and close the China-Uganda trade deficit. “Busoga and Uganda at large must aim at building capacity to offer products to the China-Uganda trade exchanges to make the cooperation beneficial to our people,” she said.
The delegation is tasked with focusing on bilateral trade and investment to achieve mutually beneficial international relations. Alupo highlighted the need for Uganda to enhance its agricultural exports to China and encouraged the delegation to leverage existing trade links.
Alupo also urged the delegation to attract Chinese companies to invest in value addition for coffee and tea, emphasizing the need for maintaining standards, quality, and sustainability to meet international market demands. She called for collaboration with the Busoga Kingdom, faith-based institutions, and government MDAs to maximize grassroots benefits.
The Vice President underscored the importance of transitioning from subsistence lifestyles to commercially viable enterprises and embracing ICT for business. She outlined four key sectors identified by the NRM Government for job creation and wealth: commercial agriculture, industry/manufacturing, services, and ICT.
Alupo commended the Busoga Development Consortium for its contributions to Uganda’s socioeconomic transformation and acknowledged progress towards achieving middle-income status, confirmed by the United Nations in March 2024.
The delegation, represented by Rt. Hon. Rukia Nakadama, the 3rd Deputy Prime Minister, will sign a five-year cooperation agreement with focus areas including education, trade, tourism promotion, and agriculture. Alupo appreciated the contributions of Chinese Ambassador H.E. Zhang Lizhong, Goodwill Ambassador Mr. Zhang Hao, and other stakeholders towards the Busoga Consortium’s 10-year development agenda.