A good number of Ugandans are languishing in China as they await execution having been convicted of serious offences. It’s a situation that greatly scares their relatives back home. And when Parliament Speaker Rebecca Kadaga got the opportunity to have audience with CPPCC Chairman Wang Yang (number 4 most powerful man in China), Kadaga pleaded for the Ugandans. She asked Yang to use his influence to get the Ugandans sent back to be tried in Uganda, a request Yang said would be looked into. This was during a meeting at Parliament where Wang Yang, who is on a working visit to Uganda, checked on Kadaga in his capacity as the Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). Present at the meeting were Ugandan MPs including Parliamentary Commissioners and the Clerk to Parliament Jane Kibirige. Kadaga applauded China for their renewed commitment in reducing the trade imbalance between the two countries, which she said puts Uganda at 90 per cent while China is at three percent. “There will be a trade expo in China in November this year and the Chairman of CPPCC has assured us that companies from Uganda will be given special opportunity and priority,” said Kadaga.
The Speaker also commended Wang for being open to discuss the repatriation of the Ugandan convicts adding that such a gesture shows the Chinese commitment towards maintaining good relations between the two nations. “I want Ugandans to know that we discussed the possibility of transfer of Ugandans convicted in China and the Chairman said that they will think about it. It is work in progress,” said Kadaga. Wang Yang acknowledged Parliament’s efforts in maintaining close relations with the CPPCC, saying that China has over time enjoyed good cooperation with Uganda in all areas. He said that the China-Uganda cooperation is a model and template of Africa-China cooperation. “Uganda was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with China and ever since then, both countries have treated each other as equals, carried out friendly and sincere cooperation which has produced fruitful results,” said Wang. Wang added that the economic cooperation on trade have been productive. “China is Uganda’s largest source of direct foreign investment, major engineering contractor and major trading partner,” Wang added.
Wang Yang’s visit to Uganda is his first oversees trip after becoming the Chairman of the National Committee on CPPCC in March this year. The former CPPCC Chairman also visited Parliament during his tenure in office. The CPPCC is a political advisory body in China. The organization consists of delegates from a range of political parties and organizations as well as independent members. CPPCC conducts political consultation and oversees democratic participation of the Chinese at different levels.
