Major General Jack Bakasumba, the Chief of Joint Staff, has met with the first-ever Chinese Military Advisor to Uganda, Colonel Zhang Hao, who paid a courtesy call at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs Headquarters in Mbuya.

In a statement released by Col Deo Akiiki, the Deputy Public Information Officer of the UPDF, the meeting held on July 8, 2024, marked a historic moment in the longstanding relations between the Republic of Uganda and the People’s Republic of China, which date back to the National Resistance Army (now the Uganda People’s Defence Forces) era.

Colonel Zhang hailed China’s instrumental role as an ally in Uganda’s economic development, particularly in the Defence industry.

“Colonel Zhang expressed a strong commitment to enhancing existing bilateral relations and military cooperation in various areas,” the statement read in part.

Accompanying Colonel Zhang was Song Jinpeng, a staff member from the Chinese Embassy. The visit underscores the growing strategic partnership between Uganda and China as the two nations continue to strengthen their ties in the military and economic spheres, according to the statement.

“As Uganda continues to modernize its military and expand its defense capabilities, the presence of a Chinese Military Advisor is seen as a significant step in fostering closer military cooperation and knowledge-sharing between the two nations,” the statement read.

According to the statement, this latest development is expected to pave the way for deeper collaboration and the exchange of expertise between the two countries’ armed forces.