The Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who also serves as the Senior Presidential Adviser for Special Operations, has visited the headquarters of China North Industries Group Corporation Limited (NORINCO), the world’s largest defence contractor.
NORINCO, which reported revenues of US$82.6 billion in 2023, is a long-standing partner of the UPDF, with ties dating back to 1986.
Gen. Kainerugaba, accompanied by senior commanders Maj. Gen. Felix Busizoori and Maj. Gen. Dan Kakono, was received by Chen Defang, the President of NORINCO, and other members of the company’s leadership. The delegation was taken on an extensive tour of NORINCO’s facilities, showcasing cutting-edge defence technologies and innovations.
Following the tour, Gen. Kainerugaba held high-level discussions with NORINCO’s senior executives on potential areas of strategic cooperation, particularly in technology transfer and military modernization.
The visit comes on the back of a week of intense engagements in China, including Gen. Kainerugaba’s participation in the Beijing Xiangshan Forum, one of the world’s leading security conferences. At the forum, he joined global military leaders to deliberate on peace and security challenges.
During the trip, Gen. Kainerugaba and Gen. Liu Zhenli, China’s Chief of the Joint Staff Department of the Central Military Commission, oversaw the signing of a new military cooperation agreement between Uganda and China, paving the way for enhanced defence and technological collaboration.
In addition to his NORINCO visit, the CDF also met Liu Yuxi, China’s Special Representative on African Affairs, and toured the headquarters of CATIC (China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation), signaling Uganda’s interest in expanding its partnerships into aviation and advanced defence technology.
Expressing optimism about the future of Uganda-China relations, Gen. Kainerugaba described the engagements as “a continuation of a trusted partnership built on mutual respect and shared goals.”
NORINCO’s leadership, in turn, reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the UPDF’s modernization agenda and strengthening Uganda’s defence capacity.
This series of engagements underscores the UPDF’s growing emphasis on deepening strategic and diplomatic ties with China, with the aim of advancing both security cooperation and technological development.
