Uganda and China have signed a new defence agreement aimed at strengthening military co-operation between the two countries.
The deal was formalised in Beijing on Thursday, 18 September, when Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, and General Liu Zhenli, his Chinese counterpart, put pen to paper, according to the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).
The signing followed a ceremonial welcome and closed-door talks described by the UPDF as focusing on “mutual strategic interest”. Discussions centred on areas where the two countries already work together – advanced military training, peace support missions and defence diplomacy.
The agreement paves the way for deeper co-operation, including joint exercises, professional military education and potential technology transfers.
During his visit, Gen Kainerugaba toured the China National Aero-Technology Import and Export Corporation, a state-owned company specialising in aviation technology. His trip also coincides with the Beijing Xiangshan Forum, a major international security conference attended by defence officials and experts from across the world.
Military ties between Uganda and China date back to 1986. Over the years, the partnership has included training programmes, technology exchanges and support for peacekeeping missions.
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“Since assuming the role of Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), General Kainerugaba has actively pursued enhanced military cooperation with Uganda’s allies,” the UPDF said. It cited his diplomatic visits to Russia, Rwanda, Algeria, Mozambique and the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as meetings in Kampala with senior officers from France, the UK and the US.
China has provided significant military support to Uganda in recent years. In July 2025, Beijing donated shs36 billion ($10m) in equipment to the UPDF. The year before, China supplied 70 vehicles for Uganda’s hosting of the Non-Aligned Movement and G77 summits. And in April 2024, the two countries launched joint production facilities in Uganda for unmanned aerial vehicles and explosives.
