In recent years, there has been a noticeable uptick in Ugandans interested in visiting China.
Despite initial concerns sparked by the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been a gradual rise in the number of Ugandan nationals applying for Chinese visas, according to Zhang Lizhong, the Chinese ambassador to Uganda.
Initially, Uganda implemented stringent measures in 2020, prohibiting its citizens from traveling to China in response to the Covid-19 outbreak.
However, China’s effective containment strategies and global efforts to combat the virus bolstered international confidence in the country, including among Ugandans, leading to a resurgence in interest in traveling to China.
Zhang Lizhong noted this trend, stating, “We are witnessing a growing influx of individuals heading to China.
Prior to the pandemic, over 40,000 Ugandans visited China annually, and despite the challenges, we observed a rebound last year with the embassy receiving 12,000 visa applications.”
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Moreover, the ambassador acknowledged that there may be a disparity between the number of visa applications and the actual volume of individuals traveling to China.
“Some applicants may hold multiple-entry visas, resulting in the actual number of travelers surpassing the embassy’s application figures,” Zhang explained.
To accommodate the increasing demand from Ugandan applicants seeking Chinese visas, authorities are establishing a new application center. Zhang clarified,
“This center, sanctioned by the embassy, exclusively handles Chinese ordinary visa applications and consular legalities. It operates independently, managing its finances, and is not an extension of the embassy.”
Amidst these developments, projections from the World Bank suggest an economic surge in Uganda, despite Western sanctions, indicating a resilient and evolving landscape in the region.
