The Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Hon. Vincent Bamulangaki Ssempjjja, together with the Chinese Executive President of the North Industries Corporation (NORINCO), Yang Xiaoqing, commissioned a Joint Research and Innovation Centre, an Anfo production line for Kyoga Dynamics, and the groundbreaking of a comprehensive unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) workshop in Nakasongola.
This followed the signing of a cooperation agreement between the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs (MoDVA) and NORINCO today, November 29, 2023.
Hon. Ssempijja thanked the delegation from Norinco for their willingness to share knowledge in building the defence capacity of Uganda. He said that research and innovation are key to the development of Uganda’s defence capacity.
The Minister also commended the partnership between the Ministry of Defence/UPDF and NORINCO over the years, having been key in the establishment of Kyoga Dynamics, a joint venture between National Enterprise Corporation (NEC) and NORINCO.
Yang Xiaoqing, in his remarks, said that these events marked a milestone in the history of cooperation between Uganda and NORINCO.
“In six months, a workshop dedicated to the final assembly, testing, maintenance, and training of UAVs will rise up here and will be a turning point for Uganda’s take-off of the UAV industry, a new important field for defence modernization,” Xiaoqing said.
He added that this cooperation will effectively enhance Uganda’s military capabilities, create social values, drive economic development, and elevate Uganda’s international influence.
The Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Wilson Mbadi, said in his remarks that the partnership with NORINCO in the expansion of the facilities is a demonstration of the ever-growing relationship between the Republic of Uganda and the People’s Republic of China.
“As two cooperative sides, we have made major breakthroughs in the theme of developing and modernising our forces to create internal effectiveness and efficiency that has well been tested internally and in the region,” Gen. Mbadi said.
He commended NORINCO for their commitment and speed towards developing and setting up the facilities, which will go a long way in creating capacity for the UPDF.
Along with others, Commander Air Force Lt Gen Charles Okidi, NEC Managing Director Lt Gen James Mugira, General Manager of Luwero Industries Ltd. Maj Gen Sabiiti Muzeyi, and Undersecretary Logistics Mr. Francis Kahiriita attended the event.
