UGANDA CHAMPIONS GREEN MINING, VALUE ADDITION AND WIN-WIN PARTNERSHIPS AT 2026 CHINA INTERNATIONAL MINING CONFERENCE HELD IN TIANJIN, CHINA ON 10 SEPTEMBER 2026

International September 14, 2026

H.E. Ambassador Oliver Wonekha, Ambassador of the Republic of Uganda to the People’s Republic of China, participated in the Ministerial Forum on International Cooperation in Mining and the 2026 China International Mining Conference in Tianjin, positioning Uganda’s vast mineral potential at the heart of the growing Uganda–China partnership in green development, industrialisation and investment.

Held under the theme “Win-Win Cooperation – Green Intelligence,” the high-level event brought together representatives from approximately 60 countries and international organisations. The Conference was officially opened by H.E. He Lifeng, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, who reaffirmed China’s commitment to deeper international mining cooperation, respect for countries’ sovereignty over their mineral resources, and stronger and more resilient global mineral supply chains.

The Forum also issued the Tianjin Declaration on Green Development of Mining, advancing greater international cooperation in green and low-carbon technologies, resource efficiency, smart mining, climate action and sustainable mineral supply chains. China highlighted the transformative role of technologies such as artificial intelligence, 5G and the Internet of Things in building a greener, smarter and more sustainable global mining industry.

On the margins of the Conference, Ambassador Wonekha delivered a keynote address at the International Economic and Trade Cooperation Exchange Event on Green Minerals, organised by the China Chamber of Commerce of Metals, Minerals & Chemicals Importers & Exporters (CCCMC). She rallied Chinese enterprises to seize Uganda’s emerging opportunities in minerals including gold, tin, tantalum, tungsten, copper and cobalt, and to forge long-term partnerships across the mineral value chain.

Ambassador Wonekha emphasised that Uganda’s ambition goes beyond extracting and exporting raw minerals: the country seeks to transform its mineral wealth into industries, jobs, skills and lasting prosperity. She called for investment in exploration, responsible mining, processing, refining, manufacturing, clean technologies, equipment, financing and supporting infrastructure, with particular emphasis on technology and knowledge transfer, local supplier development and employment creation.

“Uganda welcomes partners who share our vision of transforming mineral wealth into value-added industries and shared prosperity. We invite Chinese enterprises to bring their capital, technology and expertise to Uganda, invest responsibly, produce locally and grow with us,” Ambassador Wonekha said.

In a strong call to action, Ambassador Wonekha mobilised Chinese mining companies, investors, technology providers and industry leaders to take the next step by coming to Uganda for the Mineral Wealth Conference and Exhibition, scheduled for 29–30 September 2026 in Kampala. She urged Chinese enterprises not only to attend, but to use the Conference to engage directly with the Government of Uganda, meet Ugandan industry players, explore investment-ready opportunities and forge partnerships in exploration, processing, value addition, technology and mineral-related infrastructure. The invitation generated considerable enthusiasm in Tianjin, with a number of Chinese enterprises immediately seeking information on participation and visa facilitation and expressing interest in joining the Kampala Conference.

Ambassador Wonekha concluded her fruitful engagement in Tianjin with a follow-up meeting with North International Group Co., Ltd. (NIG), a Tianjin-based international trade, investment and industrial group whose activities span machinery and equipment, agricultural commodities, medical and health products, and international investment. Discussions focused on translating existing interest into concrete cooperation with Uganda in machinery and equipment, agro-processing and agricultural trade, healthcare, industrial investment and local value addition, while strengthening partnerships with Ugandan enterprises and expanding the sourcing of Ugandan products for the Chinese market.

Uganda’s message from Tianjin was clear and forward-looking: Uganda is open for responsible investment and ready to turn its mineral potential into a powerful engine of industrialisation and sustainable growth. From Tianjin to Kampala, Ambassador Wonekha’s engagement sought to move Uganda–China mineral cooperation from dialogue to investment, from resource potential to value addition, and from opportunities on paper to partnerships on the ground.