Tag: China-Uganda

A New Era in China- Africa Relations: What’s in it for Uganda?

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By Moshi Israel

Yesterday, on the 27th of this month, Sino-Uganda Research Centre (SURC), the lead Think Tank on China-Uganda relations, and Development Watch Centre, Uganda’s leading Think Tank on foreign policy analysis hosted a symposium at fairway hotel in Kampala. The theme of the symposium was to have an in-depth look at a new era of China-Africa relations and what Uganda in particular could gain from it.

 

Several experts, dignitaries, members of the media fraternity, and Politicians from Uganda and China attended the symposium. The Guest of Honour was Her Excellency the Vice President of Uganda, Jessica Alupo, represented by the Right Honourable Rebecca Kadaga the 1st Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Affairs. H.E. the ambassador of China to Uganda, Zhang Lizhong also graced the event with his presence. Also, delegates from major Chinese companies in Uganda such as CNOOC, Sinohydro, and China Communications Construction Company were present and were given the opportunity to discuss their work and challenges in Uganda.

In her speech, the chief guest acknowledged the vital role of think tanks in guiding policy formulation and implementation and recognised the key role SURC could play in making this a reality in Uganda. She pointed to the importance of independence in research exhibited by the Sino-Uganda Research Centre and noted its importance for the benefit of Uganda, China, and the world.  Furthermore, her speech emphasised the need to discuss China-Uganda relations candidly. In one of her key points, the guest of honor pointed to the need for Africans, in general, to control the narrative of cooperation with China without leaving room for distortions from cynics. This is an important point because for the most part relations between China and Africa are distorted by Western media and often painted in a negative light. Therefore, think tanks have an urgent role of setting the record straight through unbiased research that seeks to find the truth. The new era of China-Africa relations should be one in which the two parties control the narrative and avoid the use of Western frames to approach and debate issues.

The speech also, called upon governments in Africa and Uganda in particular to engage more with think tanks in setting national agendas. For the SURC to be the only think tank in the whole country to study and drive debate on the relationship between Uganda and one of her biggest trade partners shows that there is a gap between academia and government that needs to be covered. The chief guest was jubilant in pointing out the milestones China and Uganda have achieved since the bilateral talks in Beijing on 25th June 2019, between Presidents Xi and Museveni where they agreed to lift the two country’s relations to a comprehensive cooperative partnership. This set the stage for the betterment of China and Uganda relations which have hit a peak in recent years.

The vice president appreciated the fact that China does not seek to interfere in Uganda’s internal matters and assured the Chinese that Uganda is open and safe for China. She hinted at the fact that Uganda as a developing country has a lot to learn from China. The vice president understands that whereas China achieved modernisation and poverty alleviation through adhering to the principles of a socialist economy with Chinese characteristics, Uganda as well as Africa can create a development path with Ugandan and African characteristics.

Another important area that Her Excellency touched on was trade and investment. Uganda’s trade with China keeps growing and bilateral trade between the two states grew by 28.8% in the first quarter of this year. However, Uganda’s market in China is still low and has room for improvement as long as “Ugandan farmers produce high-quality products with value addition.” In a world facing a resurgence of nationalism that has left more countries hostile to anything foreign; for example, the countries that engaged in vaccine nationalism, the Vice president through her representative the Right Hon, Rebecca Kadaga thanked China for standing with Africa in supplying free vaccinations in a show of true friendship and win-win partnership.

H.E. the Ambassador, Zhang Lizhong also addressed the symposium and strongly condemned all efforts to undermine the relationship between China and Africa. He commented on the various projects that Chinese companies have accomplished and are on the verge of completing with Uganda. The ambassador also lauded his tours around Uganda and his most recent visits to western Uganda. Uganda has great tourist potential and beautiful scenery which the ambassador noted could play a significant role in Uganda’s economic development. The ambassador noted that China has extended a tax-free incentive to Ugandan exports. Furthermore, China will continue to expand its assistance to Uganda in the health sector, infrastructure, energy sector, Agriculture, and all other potential areas of cooperation.

The ambassador shared his perspectives on the role of government strategic planning in China that led to the elimination of absolute poverty and the modernisation of China. The emphasis was also placed on China’s development path which seeks to cooperate with the rest of the world through the concept of mutual benefit. Projects such as the Belt and Road are landmarks of China’s commitment to the development of African nations. He noted that the CPC (Communist Party of China) will always champion international cooperation instead of confrontation and that China-Africa, and in particular China-Uganda relations can only go higher in this new era.

The symposium also held a panel discussion where Ugandan experts and delegates from Sinohydro, CNOOC, and other Chinese companies shared thoughts on China’s projects in Uganda, challenges, and potential solutions. The representative from CNOOC shared the progress of the Tilenga oil project at King Fisher in Hoima. CNOOC has been instrumental in improving the lives of people in local communities surrounding the project and all Ugandans generally. CNOOC has employed thousands of local workers in both skilled and unskilled, provided scholarships for numerous Ugandan engineers who have subsequently been employed by the company, and just recently CNOOC has announced another round of scholarships for talented students. The company has built health centers in the local areas of Kikuube and eased access to water by constructing the Buhuka Gravity Scheme that supplies safe and clean water to over 1300 local residents. CNOOC has also engaged in environmental protection in collaboration with the National Forestry Authority by aiding and providing tools to ease law enforcement in the Bugoma forest reserve. This also aims to reduce the negative impacts of climate change in the Albertine region.

The symposium has been a milestone and is a potential trendsetter in the think tank domain within Uganda. Through the activities of SURC and Development Watch Center, the debate for a better, more knowledgeable, and progressive Uganda has been given a vital push forward. The Executive Director and founder of both think tanks, Dr, Allawi Ssemmanda noted that it is high time think tanks got the recognition they so deserve in Uganda as stakeholders in policy formulation and implementation. He emphasised that think tanks and academicians can play a crucial role in propelling a country like Uganda forward by leading the debate on issues that matter by analysing and providing a nuanced understanding of complex global and domestic issues for all citizens.

Moshi Israel is a Researcher with Development Watch Centre.

 

 

Climate Change: Opportunity in Crisis

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By Moshi Israel

For many of us, there is an involuntary aversion to the very idea of having the words ‘crisis’ and ‘opportunity’ in the same sentence. It is hard to fathom how someone can see opportunities within crises.  It is no wonder that the phrase ‘never let a good crisis go to waste,’ has many negative connotations to many people. The same goes for the term ‘Reset’ in relation to several sensitive topics. The idea of an ‘economic reset’, a ‘political reset’, or even a ‘social structure reset’ will have many people up in arms and weaving conspiracy webs so entangled that the truth is often lost in the maze. This is partly because the world is increasingly divided along class lines of haves and have-nots, elites and regulars, rich and poor. This division has created a crowded corridor of ideas moving in different often opposite directions, all looking for the exit. The result is a costly stalemate where nothing is accomplished and no one goes anywhere.

This brings me to my key argument in this opinion. Climate change is a crisis that also presents us with opportunity. The climate change crisis presents us with the opportunity to reset our interaction with the environment by seriously reviewing our current systems and frameworks by altering them and bringing them up to date to eventually create a truly green and healthy planet for ourselves and future generations.

Planet Earth has a long history that scientists have divided into epochs, eons, eras, and ages. My focus here is the epoch timelines. Epochs can last millions of years and are defined by significant changes in rock layers such as mineral composition and the appearance of distinctive fossils. Each variation indicates a major climate change. This planet is about 4.5 billion years old and modern human beings are said to have existed on it for a mere 200, 000 years.

However, many climate scientists indicate that our relatively short existence has had a significant impact on global warming. Earth is believed to have been in the Holocene epoch for the last 11, 500 years which began when the glaciers that covered the earth disappeared at the end of the last ice age. In this epoch, our planet witnessed rapid population growth of humans, and modern civilizations sprung up. We built cities and introduced new technologies to a planet that had a relatively warm and stable climate.

Currently, science seems to show that we have entered the Anthropocene epoch. This is a time when scientists believe that human activity rather than any natural process, is primarily responsible for accelerated global warming. Activities such as Agriculture, deforestation, pollution, and urbanization have caused drastic changes on our planet. The proof for the Anthropocene epoch is still up for debate as scientists search for a ‘golden spike’, a kind of marker in the fossil record which could distinguish the Holocene from the Anthropocene. The marker has to be so remarkable as to be discernible in rock layers thousands or millions of years into the future. Be as it may, others have argued that the Anthropocene phase could have been ushered in by Britain’s industrial revolution and its fossil fuel dependency, others attribute it to the 1950s due to the casting of radioactive elements by nuclear weapons across the globe and others still go further back in time and point the finger at farming.

Even though the debates and historical reflections are important, it is necessary to realize that the climate crisis requires immediate attention, and many people around the globe have no luxury for debates while they face the threat of extinction while standing in line behind many other species that are facing rapid and mass extinction at a rate never seen before.

The first major problem is that climate change is a global hazard that is not limited to national borders. Therefore, malicious practices in one country have major consequences on the lives of people thousands of miles away from that country’s borders. Air pollution in Asia can have profound effects on the air in the Middle East and even further. Dumping plastic waste in the oceans affects not just humans but aquatic life as well. The danger cuts across borders and species. The opportunity here is that the international community gets to work together and is united against a common enemy. The global Sustainable Development Agenda is a good example of this cooperation. This cooperation ranges from technical to financial arrangements where the knowledge of experts and government and private resources are pooled in order to fight the threat of climate change.

In Global South, countries should take advantage of available support from development partners to address climate change. For example, through Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), African countries should use this opportunity and intensify programs meant to address climate change.  This can be achieved by ensuring that resolutions of FOCAC Dakar Action Plan 2022-2024 in which China pledged to support African countries’ efforts in addressing climate change are all implemented.

The climate change crisis has shown that the status quo is weak and does not work. We cannot simply ignore the problem away. Our institutions and systems require radical change. This presents a unique opportunity to ‘reset’ our world into a more liveable place. If anything, the climate crisis has shown us that our current trajectory will lead us to extinction, therefore, we require to make radical reforms in our economic, social, and political systems to address current realities and ensure the continuation of our species.

Using the example of Uganda, which is commonly known as the pearl of Africa for its stunning scenery, extensive flora, and fauna, and diversity of cultures, a keen observer will notice the many negative consequences of climate change. The first thing to notice is the increasingly unstable and unpredictable seasons, reduction in forest cover, and the frequent onset of flooding and famine. All these phenomena and much more are closely related to climate change. Our old methods of farming, fishing, and exploitation of resources are failing us. Therefore, new more modernized farming methods have to be adopted, new technologies need to be learned, and government has to implement effective climate change mitigation measures. This means new education systems that will produce new experts. It also means we can have a new kind of green-oriented economy that will create new competitive sectors and jobs.

It is true that the third world is unfairly affected by both climate change and climate change solutions. This is a challenge that international bodies need to take seriously and find means to address. The stage has been set in recent United Nations Climate Change Conferences to address the challenges in the global south even though progress is still rather slow. Perhaps this entails a detailed discussion for another day.

The Writer is a Research Fellow for Development Watch Center.

China-Africa Cooperation Accelerates African Countries’ Development Goals

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By Alan Collins Mpewo

In the wake of fast racing multilateral relations, the world countries have kept mowing their paths of prosperity and in scaling their economic stability, they’ve molded sustainable modules to attain that worthwhile goal. The industrial module keeps raising through the ranks and many countries that have globally harnessed it, are gradually appreciating its economic impact. Uganda is equally taking on the challenge in a flagship project the country’s government termed as “Vision 2040.” Among other schemes, are the Chinese built Industrial Parks that will harbor these gigantic projects. However, in the same journey to attain the vision, criticism and talk about the ever-growing China-Uganda economic relations keep streaming. The Chinese modern colonialism of the Global South is verbally being attached to the People’s Republic of China. But is the talk warranted?

Many don’t get to look at it or even think about it this way, but realising the historical background and understanding of the term “Colonialism,” many wouldn’t apply it lightly. That understanding of the generic meaning of the term would just be an honest step to realisation that its application as regards most of its economic policies towards Africa, is utterly a smearing spree to water down those good relations. It’s fair to state that what the China government is doing or establishing in the African continent, and whether that befits the term “colonisation,” should be a reserve for Africa’s inhabitants to determine and propagate a deserving response. Usually, when several foreigners talk about the African continent as a whole, that sheds a light on the fact that they know not or perhaps know minimal about the continent. The African continent harbours 54 countries, each with national sovereignty, autonomy in its domestic affairs, policies and impressions about the People’s Republic of China. Interestingly, unlike many western countries, China which some critics claim is harbouring colonialism or neocolonial interest has never colonised any country. It instead suffered the same. Therefore, one claiming that China’s support to African countries is due to the countries hidden interests is nothing but propaganda and a clear smear campaign meant to taint Sino-Africa relations.

A sneak peek at what the actual colonialists did would point to indigenous settlers of Africa having forced to labour with figuratively no payment. Selling them as slaves, among other regrettable undertakings. That there, is a slight showcase of what colonialism is. The People’s Republic of China is supportive to African countries in as far as investing greatly in modern infrastructure to mention of, such as roads, airports, and buildings. Actually, while western colonialists were being forced to grant African countries independence and others still under colonial bondage, many African countries received support from China thereby contributing to their struggles to snap the shackles of colonial minority humiliation. In 1960s for example, while China’s per capita GDP was less than that of Sub-Saharan Africa, China supported and southern African countries’ infrastructure development with $400 million which helped in construction of the famous Tanzania-Zambia Railway (TAZARA). This is enough to conclude that for long, China’s interest has been not to develop alone but rather building a large successful community with a shared successful future. With such record, one is right to conclude that China’s continued development assistance to African countries comes at a time when much of the African continent continues suffering from decades of entrenched neocolonialism, stinking poverty, sociopolitical instability and deplorable corruption, which in many ways all have connections to colonialism African countries suffered.

China looks at the world composed of numerous nations, all having own customs, socioeconomic systems, distinct in many forms, and are not inquisitive to alter. Its conception can fairly be seen as interested in finding a place in the middle kingdom. Being able to reach out so as offers can trade by them, perhaps as a World Trade Organ originating from the ancient silk route to the modern belt and road, or else they are in the middle of nowhere. African nations need direct foreign investment, compared to various other places. So, China has massively impacted building infrastructure. Importantly to note, is that these projects by China in the African countries in which it has some presence, are endorsed as coming without political adversities. That stands out especially as regards the respect granted for national sovereignty of partner states.

In a report recently by the notable AidData research lab, College of William and Mary, Virginia, the Chinese Belt and Road projects are fundamental in reduction of income imbalances and inequality among regions in the nations in which they are set-up. China has seen the implementation of various infrastructure projects like the construction of energy dams, roads, and the expansion of the country’s National Airport – Entebbe International Airport, plus the development of industrial parks. Regarding the Industrial parks, these are gradually taking shape with new ones cropping up. Soon or later, the Standard Gauge Railway construction, a focus project for East African Countries, will finally get its long-awaited completion. The construction of several of the above projects is Chinese financed.

In energy sector, the 183MW Isimba Hydro Power Plant is complete, and this has been done by China’s Exim Bank that has funded about 85 percent of two major Ugandan energy projects — Isimba and Karuma dams. Meanwhile, construction works of the 600MW Karuma Hydro Power Plant is still ongoing. It furthermore financed and foresaw the building of Kampala’s $476 million Entebbe Express Highway that leads to the National Airport – Entebbe International Airport, which has greatly minimised driving time to more than half the time before its construction.

These Chinese funded projects’ impact cannot be taken lightly, because enhancement of transportation routes is an inevitable stepping stone to trade. However, the Uganda government has much more to offer and directly delve in, especially with the energy support systems that have since been launched. The Isimba and Karuma Dams escorted by the gradual construction of Industrial parks in different parts of the country calls for the need to expeditious ignition of an industrial module of achieving economic prosperity. Uganda’s exports to China are majorly agricultural, yet it imports much more finished goods from the People’s Republic of China. According to UN COMTRADE database on international trade, the Republic of Uganda exports to China were $39.61 Million in 2020. Much of it was in Oil seed, fruits, grain, and seed, to a tune of $18.01 Million. This creates a great void of trade imbalance, something that is constantly affecting Uganda’s economy. Such incredible relations between the two countries – Uganda and China, should be a stepping stone for Uganda.

The advantages of an industrial module, especially in a developing country with promising growth of major transport systems can not be overemphasised. The job pool to the various Ugandans with distinct skills and expertise, the retention of much money that goes to waste on imports, among others. Such an industrial model would also give justification for the loans acquired, whose outcomes would setoff a significant portion of the debt burden. In addition to Industrial support systems are peripheral projects by The People’s Republic of China like its financing of an oil pipeline project valued to over $4 billion, presently undergoing construction. The project will connect the western region of Uganda to the port at Tanga in the Republic of Tanzania. This will give Uganda – a landlocked country, access to the Indian Ocean. That access to the wide East of the globe will possibly streamline the chain of export from the full functional industries to world markets. The returns would accomplish enormous development for the Republic of Uganda.

Alan Collins Mpewo is a Senior Research Fellow, Development Watch Center.

 

Understanding the benefits of China-Uganda relations: A tale from Ugandan

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No matter how cliché it may sound, no one can be on his or her own, we all at one moment need
support from our colleague(s). In context of nation-state relations and international relations, all
countries world over need support from each other. In context of development, especially
developing countries rely on support from allies to boast their development agendas.
Uganda is one of the developing countries making positive strides in the country’s development
efforts. To achieve this, it is worth talking and acknowledging countries whose relations with
Kampala support Uganda’s development efforts.

Looking at all sectors that are vital for a country’s social and economic development, Uganda’s
journey is incomplete without mention the role played by the People’s Republic of China. From
infrastructure to trade and investments, agriculture, education, health and human capital
development, China has been a catalyst in Uganda's economic development path. The bilateral
relations between the two countries started just days after Uganda gained her independence and
have been elevating from time to time. Today, the relationship between Kampala and Beijing are
at its peak.
In addition to that, following the increased Chinese companies and firms in Uganda, many
Ugandans have attained employment which has helped them to have better standards of living
and end poverty in various Ugandan families for example, over 1000 Ugandans employed in
Kapyeka industrial park with other thousands in other Chinese firms and parks in the country.
In education sector, for several decades, China has been supporting Ugandan scholars in
education sector offering thousands of scholarships opportunities and trainings to Ugandans.
Aware that human capital development is key in development process of a country, this is an
area that cannot be swept under the carpet. China has also been offering training opportunities to
Ugandan civil servants including medical personnel which is very vital as far as capacity
building is concerned.

In technology, China has also has also played an active role supporting the country’s
technological advancement journey. Huawei for example has been supporting young Ugandans
technological innovations. During the 2015 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation held in
Johannesburg, South Africa, China promised to support 10,000 African villages connected to
satellite Television. After the Uganda Communications Commission announced deadline for all
television to go digital, Chinese firm Star Times promptly intervened and since 2018, Uganda,
star times has connected a number of areas in the country with Startimes Television network.
Though one may look at Star Times investments from a business angle, it is also a fact that it has
being a fordable, it has helped thousands of people to remain connected.

From the economic perspective, trade between the two countries has increased and is still
booming. For example, statistics shows that Beijing-Kampala trade has quadrupled from
$230million in 2008 to over than $1billion in 2020. Uganda has emerged as a potential market

for many Chinese businesses, both state-owned and private firms. Chinese investments in
Uganda benefit the country in both direct and indirect ways including providing employment
opportunities to tens of thousands of Ugandans.
In agriculture sector, China is also a house hold name in Uganda. A few years after Uganda’s
independence, China supported Uganda government to establish Kibimba rice scheme the first of
its kind in the country. Since then, China has been supporting Uganda’s agriculture sector
extending its agricultural technology to both Uganda’s small- and large-scale agribusiness
projects including offering training skills to Ugandans by Chinse agriculture scientists and
experts. In March 2022, Chinese government and Uganda’s signed a 20M USD project toward
Uganda’s social and livelihoods projects to be undertaken under Parish Development Model.
China is also supporting mushroom growing in the country which supports women and youth
projects. PRC has also been supporting bamboo growing in Uganda not only as a way of
supporting the country in environmental conservation but also source of income.

In health Sector, China continues to play a brotherly role in supporting Uganda’s efforts of
building a strong and functioning health system. China is credited for having funded the
construction of China-Uganda friendship hospital also known as Naguru Hospital. To date,
China supports the hospital with medical supplies and medical personnel. In same way, during
Covid pandemic, China stood shoulder to shoulder with Uganda and other African countries by
offering them then much needed medical supplies and vaccines that the Global North had
decided to hoard. Actually, since 1983, China has been sending tens of medical experts to
Uganda annually to provide Ugandans with medical services. Last week, another team of
Chinese medical experts arrived in the country to start offering services in Ugandan hospital.

Mugisha Ambrose is a junior Research Fellow with Development Watch Centre, a Foreign
Policy Think Tank.

Learning From China’s Targeted Poverty Alleviation Strategy

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Most countries on the African continent are in a permanent crisis of under development, slow development, and absolute poverty. But these problems are not unique to the African continent, other countries like China, south Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and many in South America have had similar problems but they managed to turn that train around. The case of East Asia has even been called an ‘economic miracle.’

28 percent of Ugandans are poor according to a Ministry of Finance report in 2021 and this rate had increased by 18% before the pandemic. There is reason to believe that the percentage of poor Ugandans could be even higher with some research putting the figure at about 41%. About two thirds of Ugandans had lost some income due to the covid-19 crisis according to the Finance Ministry.  Consequently, many Ugandans live below the official world bank poverty line of $1.90 per day.

To make matters worse, recent global events that have brought about a surge in fuel prices, record inflation, food shortage and dramatic rise in commodity prices coupled with the pandemic paint a dim picture for Africa at large. For example, a liter of petrol in Uganda has risen to between ugx 5000-6000 depending on the station in urban areas and it goes quite higher in rural areas. This year’s inflation rate in Uganda is estimated at around 6.1% from around 2.9% the previous year. To put it mildly; there is a mountain of work to be done to combat poverty.

But there is some good news. First, almost every country in the world is facing some sort of crisis right now whether political or economic. This is only good in the sense that we are not entirely alone. Second, one of the surest sources of strength for a country in the international community is to make powerful and resourceful allies. The good news is Africa has been doing just that by making China a strong partner and ally. So far, there is no reason to doubt China’s commitment to the long-term development of African countries guided by the principles of mutual benefit. Uganda has not been an exception in making a strong alliance with China and she can learn a lot about poverty alleviation from studying China’s strategy. Therefore, Ugandans and African have someone to look up to when designing their poverty eradication plans, a country like China has been where we are and beat the cycle of extreme poverty.

President Xi Jinping’s concept of Targeted Poverty Alleviation (TPA) has done miracles for China and has greatly contributed to the Communist Party’s century goal of comprehensively building a moderately prosperous society. The main target of this strategy is to solve the problem of poverty in rural China. The TPA can be likened to Uganda’s Poverty Eradication Action Plan (PEAP) but the TPA strategy has actually worked and Uganda should learn from it. The meat and bones of the TPA plan as stated in a march 2014 report by premier Li Keqiang involves local governments merging poverty alleviation resources and taking targeted measures to ensure assistance reaches poverty- stricken villages and households.

To tackle the problem of extreme poverty, Uganda’s leaders and policy makers need to understand the multidimensional nature of poverty and its various complex aspects. Poverty is characterized by numerous deprivations, including low consumption, poor health, shortened life span, poor living standards, limited access to education, knowledge, and information. Furthermore, poverty is a complex issue that involves aspects of sociology, geography, politics, and economics. People in extreme poverty also lack capital, specifically six types of capital: human, commercial, infrastructure, natural, public institution and intellectual.

China’s approach to poverty reduction has been based on two pillars according to a 2022 report on four decades of poverty reduction in China. The first was broad based economic transformation to open new economic opportunities and raise income. The other one was the recognition that targeted support was essential to alleviate persistent poverty; initially, support was given to areas handicapped by geography and lack of opportunities and then to households. TPA strategy is the sixth stage of new China’s poverty relief plan and is structured as a high-profile political campaign with prominent groups of the CCP on poverty alleviation established at every level of administration. China has long understood the problem of extreme poverty and has worked towards specific achievable goals to get where it is today.

Uganda needs to revise her poverty line like China did in 2015 by declaring that people with an annual income of less than 2800 RMB ($400 per year or $1,10 per day) were in absolute poverty. This has helped the Chinese government to focus on who to help. In the same year, the government of China initiated the ‘Decisions of the Central Committee of the CCP and the State Council on Winning the Battle of Poverty Eradication.’ The aim was to lift 70 million of the rural population above the poverty line until 2020. This meant lifting one million people per month and 30,000 people per day out of poverty.

One indicator of China’s seriousness towards eradicating poverty is the massive mobilization of resources and large parts of the political system as well as the private sector to achieve its poverty alleviation objectives. For instance, in 2019 the Chinese government allocated over 90billion RMB ($13billion) towards poverty alleviation and the China Development Bank pledged 400billion RMB (about $57billion) to combat poverty. Several other private companies like Alibaba gave funds for the initiative. In this aspect of mobilization, the government of Uganda has not been very effective especially when it comes to mobilizing the private sector to participate in poverty eradication programs in the rural areas.

China also adopted a national poverty registration system to identify the ‘real poor.’ This created a national data base where poor households (instead of county) are registered, their progress tracked and are dynamically managed. By 2019, the system had registered 128, 000 villages and 290,000 households. According to a 2022 world Bank press release; over the last 40 years, the number of people in China living below the poverty line has dropped by close to 800 million. The press release also points out that China has contributed to three-quarters of the global reduction in the number of people living in extreme poverty.

The approaches adopted by the TPA for China involved; peer partnerships among regions, cadres, and enterprises, focus on funding for businesses with local characteristics, relocation from areas that are not conducive for any kind of economic development to government planned communities, social empowerment with focus on skills training and construction of infrastructure. Uganda and Africa at large can learn from China’s experience and model their poverty eradication strategies to the TPA with their own national realities and contexts in mind.  From China’s experience developing countries can learn the significance of focusing on education, sustained public investment in infrastructure and adoption of structural policies supportive of competition.

It is therefore prudent that Leaders from Uganda and Africa study seriously the progress of China and other Asian tigers to fully grasp the how, when where and why of poverty eradication.

Moshi Israel is a Research Fellow at DWC.

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