The Chinese Ambassador to Uganda Zheng Zhugiang has said his country will do whatever it takes to help Uganda’s efforts of attainment of the middle income status.
Speaking during a function to hand over 2 pickups to UPDf to be used to reinforce Operation Wealth Creation on Monday, Mr. Zhugiang said they will always be available to help Uganda.
“Ugandans are hardworking and don’t wait for government to provide to them, ” Mr. Zhugiang noted.
“We want to help this country to transform from subsistence to commercial agriculture. “
He explained that because the biggest percentage of the population is employed in agriculture directly and indirectly, it is only wise that the sector is improved so as to lift the economy.
“The Operation Wealth Creation has worked well to raise household incomes of the people and I hope this support will also come in handy to help in the running of the activities.”
He said China will continue cooperating with Uganda in a number of programs including commercialization of agriculture.
Gen. Angina test drives the vehicles.
The Chinese ambassador also mentioned agriculture, industry, medicine, education, security and human resource development as key sectors that his country will invest in as part of the cooperation between the 2 countries.
The Operation Wealth Creation was started in 2013 and handed to the UPDF to ensure government address the problem of 68%populatiuon of the country who are engaged in subsistence agriculture so they can adopt commercial farming.
According to the envoy, his country is willing to share experiences and technologies in agricultural development in Uganda.
“Here we can add value and create more jobs as a way of increasing the household incomes.”
The Deputy Chief coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation Gen. Charles Angina said the program is a success after spreading to all parts of the country since its inception in 2013 by president Museveni.
“We started with Luweero, Rwenzori and Mt.Elgon sub regions and now we have caused the country to yearn for the services of Operation Wealth Creation,” Gen.Angina said.
“By 2020, we will have lifted the country to a middle status income.”
According to Gen.Angina despite some challenges, the Operation Wealth Creation program has been able to make big strides and many farmers around the country have benefitted. He said the 2 donated vehicles are a big boost to them.
Uganda is one of China’s biggest partners on the African continent with a number of projects in the country being undertaken by Chinese companies including construction of Isimba and Karuma dams; Entebbe express highway construction and the expansion of Entebbe airport.