Ｎｅｗ Ｄｅｖｅｌｏｐｍｅｎｔｓ ｉｎ ａｎ Ｏｌｄ Ｆｒｉｅｎｄｓｈｉｐ

– An Interview with Charles

Madibo Wagidoso, Ambassador of the Republic of Uganda to China

By staff reporters ZENG PING & WANG SONG

CHINA has long had a close relationship with Africa, and in recent years economic and political ties have grown even stronger. Both the Chinese government and private enterprises have significant investments on the African continent. Last November a 20-member governmental delegation came to Beijing from the central-east African nation of Uganda, to talk to Chinese political and business leaders about fostering economic and cultural links between the two countries. Shortly after the delegations visit, two China Today reporters met with the Ugandan Ambassador, Mr. Charles Madibo Wagidoso, to discuss what was achieved, the ambassadors impressions of China and the upcoming Beijing Olympics.

China Today: Mr. Ambassador, what was the Ugandan Governmental Economic Delegation able to achieve during its visit to China last November?

Mr. Wagidoso: The 20-member delegation achieved many positive results. Besides a conference with the Chinese government, we also had a successful meeting with some Chinese enterprises in Beijing.

China Today: I heard your speech at that meeting and felt you had a thorough understanding of China. The general tone of the meeting seemed positive, so there must have been some good outcomes.

Mr. Wagidoso: Yes. First, President Hu Jintao announced a stepping-up of Chinas assistance with human resource development through training for African countries. Secondly, we had a series of one-on-one meetings to further develop the relationship between Uganda and China. On the economic front, the delegation came to observe and understand some of the tremendous developments in China, and to see what we can learn in terms of accelerating our own development. As a country abundant in resources, Uganda has aroused the interest of many Chinese enterprises. We had good interactions with the enterprises participating in the conference, and in the future some of them will visit Uganda for inspections and to look at possible investment.

China Today: Diplomatic relations between China and Uganda have been good for many years. In the past Uganda has been supportive of Chinas efforts to regain its seat in the United Nations, enter the World Trade Organization, and maintain its “one China” policy. What, in your view, can be done in the future to further strengthen friendly relations between the two countries?

Mr. Wagidoso: We feel honored to have such a friendship with China. China has helped Uganda and Africa a great deal in political struggles for liberation and independence, and now there is a strong economic relationship between China and Uganda. Last year, the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation brought African countries together to cooperate with China politically and economically, and further strengthen development.

The Chinese media also has a big role to play. Through publications like China Today, you can help us promote development and trade. More particularly you can help Chinese people know more about Uganda and the potential for investment, travel and trade. And of course you can also help people in Uganda know more about China. We are trying to make arrangements with our Department of Tourism and Ministry of Trade to have more Chinese media come to Uganda, and through your reports help Chinese people understand more about my country.

China Today: Last week an official from the office of the Ugandan president expressed the same idea – that media in both countries should step up cooperation and enhance understanding.

Mr. Wagidoso: Yes, it is very important to strengthen the relationship between Uganda and China, from political leaders down to ordinary people.

China Today: Can you tell us something about Ugandas standard of living, education system and public health care?

Mr. Wagidoso: Like China, Uganda is a developing country. Our GDP has maintained a 6 percent growth over the last 10 years. The government has been increasingly devoted to raising peoples educational level and reducing illiteracy in the country. From about six or seven years of age, primary school education in Uganda is free, and this year the government also introduced free secondary education. Once upon a time we only had one university, but now there are 20 for a population of 28 million. So education has been developing very well.

In terms of health care, we have sufficient health facilities and hospitals in many parts of the country. We of course have two major health problems. The first is malaria. Chinas medical aid has helped a lot in controlling this disease. The other major issue is HIV, although Uganda has controlled the spread of HIV better than any other country in Africa.

The weather in Uganda is pleasant, and there is no real winter or summer – the temperature remains between 15̊C and 28̊C all year round, allowing our agricultural industries to be relatively developed. Our main crops are bananas, rice and maize. None of our agricultural products are exported to China however. Generally speaking, ordinary peoples lives are not bad.

The Nile, the worlds longest river, originates in Uganda and flows through Sudan and Egypt. We are currently negotiating with China Gezhouba (Group) Corporation to build hydropower stations on the Ugandan section of the river.

Ours is a country with a fine environment, rich in tourism resources. We have 12 national parks and many wild animals like the unique mountain gorilla, which is very close in kin to humans. There are some high mountains in Uganda which climbers can visit. We also have Lake Victoria, the worlds second-largest freshwater lake. As a country without winters, tourists can enjoy the beauty of the natural environment all year round. Winston Churchill once described Uganda as the “Pearl of Africa.”

China Today: What are Ugandas main resources?

Mr. Wagidoso: Uganda has discovered abundant oil reserves, which will make it one of the big oil producing countries in Africa. In terms of mineral resources, we have plentiful supplies of copper, cobalt and iron, as well as some diamond and gold mines. As a resource export country, we have had discussions with many Chinese mining companies about visiting Uganda for exploration and exports.

China Today: You have been at the center of Uganda-China relations through your ambassadorial position in Beijing for 18 months now. What is your impression of our city?

Mr. Wagidoso: We feel at home in Beijing. Its a great city that is developing very fast – we have a lot to learn from whats happening here. People in Beijing are friendly, social, and very good to us. And of course, Beijing will be the host city of the 2008 Olympic Games, which we are looking forward to.

China Today: We hear your daughter is now studying in Beijing.

Mr. Wagidoso: Yes, she is at the University of International Business and Economics. She is in her second year of studying language.

China Today: Is she used to life in Beijing?

Mr. Wagidoso: She likes life in Beijing very much. She can study Oriental culture and exchange experiences with many international students, which is a great help in her self-development. In the future, more Ugandan students will come to study in China.

China Today: You mentioned the Olympics earlier. What is your impression of Beijings preparations for the Games? And as a sporting power amongst African nations, what are Ugandas expectations in terms of medals?

Mr. Wagidoso: I think the 2008 Beijing Olympics is going to be a great event. Last August we attended the launch of the one-year countdown to the Games in Tiananmen Square, a wonderful and glamorous occasion. I believe the Olympics can bring all nations together, and showcase China to the World. Uganda is very competitive in sports amongst the African countries, especially in long-distance running, football and rugby. I am sure China will win many gold medals, but Uganda will also take some gold medals home!

China Today: Finally, could you please say a few words to our readers about your hopes for the Games.

Mr. Wagidoso: May the great Olympic Games be successfully held in Beijing, and may the games enhance understanding and promote friendship amongst the participating nations. I wish you great success!