On Thursday, 20th November, 2025, Uganda marked a major milestone in its agricultural export ambitions as President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni flagged off the country’s first consignment of dried chili destined for the Chinese market.
The ceremony, held at Bunambo Village in Namasagali Sub-county, Kamuli District, drew top government officials, diplomats, investors, and local farmers who celebrated what they termed as historic breakthrough for Busoga and the nation’s agro-export sector.
President Museveni, accompanied by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Kataaha Museveni, presided over the flag-off of three containers carrying 11 tonnes of dried chili. He hailed China as one of Uganda’s most reliable and respectful partners, noting that the export deal aligns with Uganda’s broader strategy of agro-industrialization and value addition.
“I would like to congratulate the Republic of China for working with Africa. China has been supporting us since 1949 and has always related with us on equal terms,” President Museveni said. “The Chinese are not arrogant. That is why our cooperation is smooth.”
The President expressed confidence that chili, which he referred to as a “gold crop,” has the potential to transform household incomes in Busoga, a region that has long struggled with widespread poverty.
President Museveni urged farmers to take chili cultivation seriously, emphasizing that the Chinese market was only beginning to open up.
“These crops – chili, are among the gold mines that we Africans must embrace,” he said.
“This is just an introduction. They should buy more and more. If we take this seriously, it will take us very far.”
The 1st Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Community Affairs, Rt. Hon. Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga described the event as the culmination of years of lobbying, cooperation agreements, and groundwork with Chinese partners.
“We began this project years back when we signed a cooperation agreement with China. Seeing the President flag off the first container is a true testament to the development gains we must protect,” Rt. Hon. Kadaga said.
She applauded the government for supporting the chili project but also used the moment to remind the President of outstanding pledges, including extending electricity to the farming areas and establishing an industrial park in the region to boost value-addition initiatives.
The Ambassador of China to Uganda, H.E. Zhang Lizhong, congratulated the people of Busoga and Uganda at large, describing the inaugural chili export as a product of strong diplomatic and economic ties between the two nations. He highlighted the 2024 chili export protocol signed during the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit in Beijing as a key enabler of this success.
“This event reflects the deep bond between our two countries and our shared commitment to mutual development,” Ambassador Zhang said.
He praised Uganda’s efforts under the Belt and Road Initiative and noted that China had expanded zero-tariff access for all products from 53 African countries, including Uganda.
According to the Ambassador, China–Uganda trade continues to grow rapidly. By August 2025, bilateral trade had reached USD 1.3 billion, a 41% increase compared to the same period in the previous year. Of this, Uganda’s exports to China amounted to approximately USD 100 million—double the previous year’s figure.
He also highlighted successful exports already underway, including fish maw and wild aquatic products, and commended the collaboration between the Busoga Consortium for Development and the China–Uganda Agricultural Cooperation Industrial Park, commonly known as Kehong.
“I congratulate Kehong Industrial Development Ltd and the people of Busoga on this achievement. The zero-tariff policy is already showing noticeable results,” Ambassador Zhang added.
The Busoga Consortium for Development, working with Chinese agro-industrial partners, has mobilized thousands of farmers across the region to cultivate chili and other high-value crops for export.
The Consortium’s Director General, Dr. Mula Anthony, noted that the initiative is central to lifting households out of poverty.
“Chili farming is not just a crop project, it’s a household transformation strategy,” he said, adding that Busoga has the potential to become Uganda’s largest chili-producing hub.
The event was attended by several high-ranking government officials, including the 3rd Deputy Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Rukia Nakadama Isanga, Minister of State for Agriculture, Hon. Fred Bwino Kyakulaga, local leaders, investors, and delegations from the Busoga Consortium for Development.
