Mbale, Chinese city of Guiyang sign cooperation agreement to boost trade, investment
The agreement, signed in Guiyang on Tuesday, seeks to establish friendly relations between the two cities while creating opportunities for investment, skills development and cultural exchanges
GUIYANG, October 28, 2026 – Mbale City in eastern Uganda and Guiyang City, the capital of China’s Guizhou Province, have signed a Letter of Intent to strengthen cooperation in coffee trade, agriculture, industrial development, tourism, education and technology.
The agreement, signed in Guiyang on Tuesday, seeks to establish friendly relations between the two cities while creating opportunities for investment, skills development and cultural exchanges.
The signing ceremony was attended by Mbale City Mayor Joyce Matuka Kidulu, Uganda’s Consul General in Guangzhou, Ambassador Judyth Nsababera, Guiyang Mayor Wang Hong, and officials from Uganda’s Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries.
Speaking at the ceremony, Hong said Guiyang was interested in increasing imports of Ugandan coffee and establishing long-term partnerships with producers and exporters.
He said Guiyang, which has more than 3,000 coffee shops, offers a growing market for Uganda’s coffee industry.
Hong proposed business matchmaking, participation in coffee exhibitions and investment in coffee roasting, processing and branding to increase the visibility of Ugandan coffee in China.
Ambassador Nsababera welcomed the proposals, saying Uganda’s coffee exports to China had increased by more than 220 per cent since 2023.
However, she said Uganda was seeking greater recognition of its coffee in international markets rather than merely increasing export volumes.
“For years, Ugandan coffee has added quality and character to blends sold under other names. We are proud of that contribution. Now we also want Uganda to stand confidently as an origin in its own right—on your shelves, in your cafés and, most importantly, in your cups,” Nsababera said.
She urged Chinese investors to explore partnerships in coffee processing, branding and distribution while ensuring that Ugandan farmers benefit from the growing trade.
“We do not see only a seller and a buyer. We see producers and innovators building something together,” she said.
Mayor Kidulu described Mbale as a strategic commercial and tourism hub in eastern Uganda, citing its proximity to Kenya, fertile agricultural land and growing industrial sector.
She said the city offers investment opportunities in coffee processing, agro-machinery, light manufacturing and tourism.
Kidulu highlighted Mt. Elgon National Park, Sipi Falls, Wanale Ridge and the Bamasaba people’s Imbalu cultural ceremony as major tourism attractions.
She also expressed interest in learning from Guiyang’s experience in digital governance, waste management, recycling and smart-city development.
The two cities discussed cooperation in vocational education, agricultural technology, e-commerce and tourism management, including possible exchanges involving students and technical professionals.
Kidulu proposed establishing a joint working group within two months to identify priority projects and coordinate implementation of the agreement.
She also invited Guiyang officials and investors to visit Mbale’s industrial park, coffee-growing communities and tourism sites to explore business opportunities.
Nsababera urged both cities to ensure that the agreement delivers tangible economic benefits.
“A signed document is a welcome milestone, but its value will be measured by what happens next. Friendship opens doors; business, investment and implementation keep them open,” she said.
Kidulu said the agreement marked a new phase in cooperation between the two cities.
“Today’s signing marks the beginning of a new chapter in relations between Mbale and Guiyang, and indeed between Uganda and China at large,” she said.
The agreement is expected to lay the groundwork for a broader sister-city partnership aimed at promoting trade, investment, technology transfer and people-to-people exchanges.
https://thecooperator.news/uganda-flags-off-first-ever-export-of-canned-pineapple-to-china/
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