President Museveni flags off Uganda’s first dried chilli consignment to China
“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.
President Yoweri Museveni accompanied by First Lady Maama Janet Museveni, flags off Uganda's first consignment of dried chilli to the Chinese market during a function held at Namasagali on Thursday. (PPU photos)
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Thursday, 20 November 2025, marked a major milestone in Uganda's agricultural export ambitions as President Yoweri Museveni flagged off the country’s first consignment of dried chilli destined for the Chinese market.
At the colourful ceremony, held at Bunambo Village in Namasagali Sub-county, Kamuli District, different stakeholders including: top government officials, diplomats, investors, and local farmers, celebrated what they termed as a historic breakthrough for Busoga and the nation’s agro-export sector.
Flagging off three containers carrying 11 tonnes of dried chilli, President Museveni, accompanied by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Museveni, 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-industrialisation 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", he added, according to the release from the Presidential Press Unit. PPU.
President Museveni, who urged farmers to take chilli cultivation seriously, expressed confidence that the vegetable (chilli), 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.
Emphasising that the Chinese market was only beginning to open up, he added, “we must embrace crops like chilli, which are among Africa's gold mine.
President Museveni accompanied by First Lady Maama Janet Museveni pose for a photo with Chinese investors during the flag off ceremony. 
This is just an introduction. They should buy more and more. If we take this seriously, it will take us very far.”
The First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Community Affairs, 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,” Kadaga said.
She applauded the government for supporting the chilli 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, Zhang Lizhong, congratulated the people of Busoga and Uganda at large, describing the inaugural chilli export as a product of strong diplomatic and economic ties between the two nations.
He highlighted the 2024 chilli 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.
Commending the collaboration between the Busoga Consortium for Development and the China–Uganda Agricultural Cooperation Industrial Park, commonly known as Kehong.
Ambassador Zhang reported that the zero-tariff policy is already showing noticeable results.
The Busoga Consortium for Development, working with Chinese agro-industrial partners, has mobilised thousands of farmers across the region to cultivate chilli 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.
“Chilli 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.
Other dignitaries at the events included the 3rd Deputy Prime Minister Rukia Nakadama Isanga, Minister of State for Agriculture, Fred Bwino Kyakulaga, local leaders, investors, and delegations from the Busoga Consortium for Development.