The People’s Republic of China has donated $10 million (approximately UGX 36 billion) worth of military aid and equipment to the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), marking a significant step in deepening military cooperation between the two nations.
The announcement, made by Colonel Chris Magezi, the Military Assistant to the Uganda army Chief, via a post on X on July 4, 2025, underscores the growing strategic partnership between Uganda and China.
The donation, which includes unspecified military equipment, comes on the heels of a courtesy visit by China’s Defence Attaché to Uganda, Colonel Zhang Hao, and his deputy, Colonel Li Hai, to UPDF Chief of Defence Forces General Muhoozi Kainerugaba on June 25, 2025.
During the meeting at the Special Forces Command Headquarters in Entebbe, both parties discussed enhancing bilateral relations, with a particular focus on advancing military collaboration through defense capabilities, technology transfer, and joint training initiatives.
Colonel Magezi hailed the donation as a gesture that “further strengthens and deepens bilateral military cooperation” between Uganda and China, expressing gratitude for China’s longstanding partnership.
General Kainerugaba also commended the cordial and strategic relationship, noting its importance in bolstering Uganda’s defense capabilities.
The military aid is part of a broader framework of cooperation between Uganda and China, which spans multiple sectors, including infrastructure, health, and economic development.
China has emerged as a key partner for Uganda, particularly in supporting the country’s security and development goals. In recent years, Beijing has expanded its footprint in Africa through military aid, training, and arms sales, a move that some seen as aiming at countering Western influence on the continent.
Beyond military support, China has made significant contributions to Uganda’s public health sector. On June 27, 2025, a Chinese medical team from Kampala, in collaboration with the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), organized a free medical camp in Kikuube, a remote western district bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The initiative provided critical healthcare services to thousands of villagers and facilitated knowledge exchange between Chinese and Ugandan health professionals.
Fan Xuecheng, minister counsellor at the Chinese Embassy in Uganda, emphasized that public health cooperation is a cornerstone of the 10 partnership actions announced at the 2024 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.
China’s investments in Uganda also include major infrastructure projects, such as roads, bridges, and energy developments, which have bolstered economic ties.
The military and civilian engagements reflect a multifaceted partnership aimed at fostering sustainable national growth and regional stability.
Regional and Global ContextThe donation comes at a time when Uganda is navigating complex regional dynamics and international relations.
The UPDF is actively engaged in multiple theaters, including joint operations with the Democratic Republic of Congo against the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) under Operation Shujaa, as well as missions in South Sudan and Somalia.
The military aid from China is expected to enhance the UPDF’s operational capabilities in these endeavors.
However, Uganda’s growing alignment with China has raised concerns among some Western powers, particularly the United States, which has expressed unease about China’s expanding military influence in Africa.
The U.S. has also been a significant partner to Uganda, recently handing over a $3.7 million auditorium for training and professional military education to the UPDF, along with a $5.5 million United Nations Level 2 Hospital and a $1.5 million vehicle maintenance facility in 2024.
The strengthening of Uganda-China military ties also follows Uganda’s suspension of military cooperation with Germany in May 2025, citing allegations of “subversive activities” by Germany’s ambassador.
This shift has fueled speculation about Uganda’s pivot toward non-Western partners like China and Russia, the latter of which sent a large military delegation to Uganda in August 2024.
Looking AheadThe $10 million military aid package is poised to enhance the UPDF’s operational readiness and further cement China’s role as a key ally in Uganda’s defense strategy.
The partnership is likely to have broader implications for regional security and geopolitical alignments in East Africa.