CSR Report Launch 2024: Uganda Lauds Chinese Enterprises’ Community Contributions

Uganda’s Third Deputy Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Lukia Nakadama, has commended Chinese enterprises operating in Uganda for their growing role in community development, as the China Chamber of Commerce in Uganda (SINOCHAM) launched its 2024 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Report in Kampala.

Speaking at the launch on Wednesday in Kampala, Nakadama hailed Chinese companies for investing not only in business but also in people, highlighting initiatives in education, health care, clean water, youth empowerment, environmental sustainability, and disaster relief.

“This report is not just about numbers and activities—it is a story of friendship, resilience, and shared prosperity. It shows what can be achieved when nations and enterprises work hand in hand for the common good,” she said.

The CSR report documents how member companies have renovated schools, offered scholarships, organized medical camps, provided water and sanitation facilities, created apprenticeship opportunities for youth, and supported vulnerable communities during disasters.

Nakadama also praised China’s broader role in Uganda’s development, pointing to cooperation in infrastructure, trade, education, agriculture, health, and industrialization. She cited landmark projects such as the Karuma and Isimba hydropower dams, the Entebbe–Kampala Expressway, and industrial parks in Namanve, Mbale, and Kapeeka as key symbols of Uganda–China partnership.

“China has always related with Africa, and Uganda in particular, on the basis of mutual respect, mutual benefit, and non-interference. This is the correct approach that fosters true partnership,” she quoted President Museveni.

Uganda–China relations date back to 1962, with Beijing being one of the first countries to recognize Uganda’s independence. Today, China is Uganda’s largest source of imports and a growing destination for exports, with 98 percent of Ugandan goods enjoying tariff-free access to the Chinese market under the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

The Deputy Prime Minister extended appreciation to the Chinese Ambassador to Uganda, H.E. Zhang Lizhong, for strengthening bilateral ties, and to the leadership of the Chamber for championing corporate responsibility.

“As we move forward, let us remain guided by the principle that development is most meaningful when it uplifts the lives of ordinary people,” Nakadama concluded.

On his part, the Chinese Ambassador to Uganda Zhang Lizhong said: Today, we gather here to witness the launch of the 2023–2024 CSR Report of Chinese Enterprises in Uganda. On behalf of the Chinese Embassy in Uganda, I wish to extend warm congratulations to the Uganda Chinese Chamber of Commerce for successfully compiling and publishing this report! I also express my heartfelt gratitude to friends from all walks of life in Uganda for your longstanding support for China-Uganda cooperation.

Since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1962, he added that “our two countries have built a strong friendship on the basis of mutual respect, equality, and common development. In recent years, under the guidance of high-level exchanges, our cooperation has continued to deepen and expand. Within the frameworks of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), we have achieved fruitful results and elevated our bilateral relations to new historical heights.”

According to the ambassador, Chinese enterprises in Uganda have played an indispensable role in this process.

“Over the past two years, they have not only been deeply engaged in infrastructure, energy, digital transformation, green development, and agricultural modernization, but have also actively fulfilled their social responsibilities, making remarkable contributions to Uganda’s economic and social development,” he said.

In infrastructure, the Kampala–Entebbe Expressway and the expansion of Entebbe International Airport have greatly improved transport and logistics, boosting tourism and regional connectivity. China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) also renovated schools along the highway and donated learning materials to students. The newly launched Kayunga–Bbaale–Galiraya road will link the central region with the north and east, helping farmers access markets more conveniently.

In energy, the USD 1.7 billion Karuma Hydropower Plant, financed by the Export-Import Bank of China, has been fully commissioned, adding 600 MW to Uganda’s capacity and pushing the national installed power to over 2,000 MW. It also enables power exports to Rwanda, Tanzania, and Kenya. Sinohydro further built and donated a community health clinic near the project site, making medical care more accessible to local residents.

In green development, China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) has built over 1,000 kilometers of roads in Uganda since 1996, including in ecologically sensitive areas such as Murchison Falls National Park and wetlands, while adopting environmentally friendly practices. In addition, Chinese companies have engaged employees and local communities in tree planting initiatives, demonstrating their commitment to ecological protection and sustainability.

In digital innovation and talent cultivation, companies like Huawei have spearheaded ICT training, school-enterprise partnerships, and job creation. Through its Seeds for the Future program, Huawei has provided scholarships and training opportunities in China for Ugandan youth, equipping them with skills critical for the digital era.

In social livelihood, China Railway No.7 and other companies have drilled boreholes for safe drinking water and built footbridges, directly improving local residents’ daily lives. Chinese enterprises have also partnered with the Embassy to organize free medical camps and health awareness activities, benefiting local communities.

In compliance and governance, the publication of the Chinese translation of the Uganda Taxation Guide 2024 was a joint achievement by the Chamber of Commerce and the Uganda Revenue Authority, helping enterprises better understand and comply with local laws, thus fostering a transparent, open, and predictable business environment.

“These examples not only demonstrate the strength and sense of responsibility of Chinese enterprises, but also highlight the strong alignment between China-Uganda cooperation, Uganda’s Vision 2040, the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV), and the UN Sustainable Development Goals,” the ambassador added.

“The CSR report released today is not only a record, but also a pledge. It demonstrates that Chinese enterprises stand ready to work hand in hand with the Ugandan government and all sectors of society to explore new growth areas in infrastructure, digital economy, green energy, and agricultural modernization, jointly building a more inclusive, sustainable, and prosperous China-Uganda community with a shared future. This June, the Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators on the Implementation of the Follow-up Actions of the Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) was held in Changsha, Hunan province. The meeting issued China-Africa Changsha Declaration On Upholding Solidarity and Cooperation of the Global South, which pointed out that China is ready to, through negotiating and signing the agreement of China-Africa Economic Partnership for Shared Development, expand the zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines to all 53 African countries having diplomatic relations with China, to welcome quality products from Africa to the Chinese market. For the least developed countries in Africa, on top of the zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines announced at the 2024 Beijing Summit of FOCAC, China will roll out measures on market access, inspection and quarantine, and customs clearance to boost trade in goods, enhance skills and technical training, and expand the promotion of quality products. The implementation of the zero-tariff policy has yielded noticeable results. As of July this year, the total trade volume between China and Uganda reached US$1.148 billion, a year-on-year increase of 41.5%, setting a new record for the same period in history. Among them, China’s imports from Uganda exceeded US$84 million, with an increase of 97.8%. Among them, coffee imports increased by 150% and sesame imports increased by 132%. China has supersized market, over 400 million middle income population and complete income population and complete manufacturing system. China has contributed 30% to the Global GDP. China’s development is opportunity to the world. This year marks the 80^th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and the founding of the United Nations. It is a crucial moment to remember history and build a shared future. Profound changes unseen in a century are accelerating, while peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy, and freedom remain the shared values of all mankind. Recently, Chinese President Xi Jinping solemnly put forward the Global Governance Initiative, outlining the five core concepts of “upholding sovereign equality, observing international rule of law, practicing multilateralism, advocating a people-centered approach, and focusing on taking real actions.” After the Three Global Initiatives, namely GDI, GSI, GCI, this is the fourth initiative advocated by China. This initiative further contributes Chinese wisdom and proposes a Chinese solution to strengthening and improving global governance. The spirit of this initiative aligns with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. It is in line with the interests of Global South, calling for a more just and equitable global governance system. China stands ready to strengthen cooperation with Uganda, to promote the common development of our two countries, and to safeguard the shared interests of the Global South.”

In his conclusion, the ambassador said “May today’s launch serve as a new starting point, opening a new chapter in China-Uganda cooperation. Let us join hands to compose a harmonious symphony of South-South cooperation and create an even brighter future for China-Uganda relations!”

Hon. Dia Chunhe, the Executive Chairman of the Alliance of Chinese Business in Africa for Social Responsibility, pledged continued support to Uganda and Africa in general.

“First, we will continue to deepen our local roots, integrating corporate development more closely into Uganda’s overall socio-economic development plans and seeking more converging interests and opportunities for collaborative growth. Second, we will focus on improving people’s livelihoods, actively responding to the “100 Chinese Enterprises for 1000 Villages” Initiative, and carefully crafting “small yet beautiful, beneficial and practical” demonstration projects that tell heartwarming stories of China-Uganda win-win cooperation. Third, we will enhance communication and outreach, more proactively and transparently showcasing our contributions and commitments to all sectors of Ugandan society, fostering greater understanding and solidifying mutual trust. Finally, we sincerely hope that the release of this report will serve as a new starting point. Let us continue to work hand in hand to build a sustainable future for China and Uganda and make new and greater contributions to forging an even closer China-Africa community with a shared future!”

Li Jincheng said the Chamber will make efforts in areas such as communication, and Uganda’s national development agenda.

“First, we will integrate more closely with Uganda’s national development agenda, deepening cooperation in agriculture modernization, clean energy, and infrastructure. Second, we will focus more on improving livelihoods, implementing “small but impactful” projects that benefit more communities and families, adding warmth to China-Uganda cooperation. Third, we will strengthen communication, showcasing our contributions and commitments to the public and telling the stories of Chinese enterprises in Uganda. Today’s report is not the end, but a new beginning. Let us work shoulder to shoulder, embedding responsibility into development and cooperation into the future, to inject lasting momentum into China-Uganda friendship and cooperation,” said Li Jincheng.

The China Chamber of Commerce in Uganda brings together Chinese enterprises operating in the country and serves as a platform for investment, trade, and community engagement.