Uganda has on Monday formally apologised to China over allegations that its embassy diplomats were participating in illegal ivory trade.
In a statement from Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Chinese aren’t accredited diplomats with the Embassy of China in Uganda, Uganda Foreign Affairs Ministry Permanent Secretary Amb Patrick Mugoya’s office said.
Kampala said the two men Museveni referred to as Chinese diplomats attached to the Kampala embassy have actually never worked there.
“Reference is made to recent local and international media reports quoting a leaked letter from H.E the President asking the Inspector General of Government to investigate the alleged “collaboration by some Uganda Wildlife Authority officials with some Chinese by the names of Li Wejin and Yinzhi who are diplomats in the Embassy to export ivory”, among other issues,” the statement said.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to inform all to whom it may concern that following a thorough review of its records, it has confirmed that both Mr. Li Wejin and Yinzhi are not accredited diplomats with the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Uganda.”
‘The Ministry regrets the negative impact this incident may have caused to the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China.”
“China and Uganda continue to enjoy very cordial relations. The Government of Uganda reiterates its commitment to strengthening further the relations and bonds of friendship that exist between our two countries.”
But China dismissed reports of the allegations as “totally unfounded”.
Many Ugandans were unapolgetic after the statement started circulating on social media.
China’s aid has its strings. It’s like thanking a man for shagging your wife. https://t.co/fEu3sJJtwM
— ft (@tufre80) June 12, 2017
Did China formally apologise to Uganda about the Kamwenge-Fort road reports of sexual abuse by the Chinese contractor’s staff? pic.twitter.com/d4GYTuivl0
— Jem Na-gundi 🌟🌠 💎 (@like_a_gem) June 12, 2017
Big Mistake
While East Asian investment in Africa, particularly from China, is nothing new, Western influence in the political and social realms has traditionally been the dominant outside influence.
Museveni and Uganda have been steadily turning toward China, which is becoming Uganda’s preferred trade and investment partner.
China’s footprint in Uganda is visible, for in 2013, Chinese investment in the country was then worth $596m creating employment opportunities for more than 30,000 Ugandans. The total amount invested in bilateral trade alone was worth $400m.
China has long had a policy of not interfering in the internal politics of countries with which it has trade and investment relationships.
Unlike loans and aid from Western institutions like International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank, that come with strings in terms of democratization and good governance, the Chinese strings are purely economic, mainly ensuring contractors are from China.
