KAMPALA, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Uganda launched the China-Uganda Year of People-to-People Exchange on Sunday in the capital, Kampala, during a temple fair held to celebrate the upcoming Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival.
Ugandan Vice President Jessica Alupo, the chief guest at the event, officially launched the initiative after touring exhibition stands showcasing Chinese and Ugandan products and services, including heavy machinery, traditional cuisine, and tourism offerings. The event also featured lion dances and cultural performances blending Chinese and Ugandan elements.
Alupo said China-Uganda cooperation has delivered mutual benefits, praising China's support in infrastructure development, education scholarships and capacity-building programs.
She said that people-to-people exchange forms the strongest foundation for enduring partnerships, noting that Africa and China have designated 2026 as the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchange.
"The Year of the Horse symbolizes action and movement, independence and freedom, energy, resilience, and social connection. Therefore, as we mark this auspicious occasion, I wish to reaffirm Uganda's commitment to further strengthening relations with China," Alupo said.
Fan Xuecheng, charge d'affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Uganda, said that the Spring Festival is the most important traditional festival for the Chinese people and that celebrations such as the temple fair reflect the people-centered nature of China-Uganda cooperation.
"China and Uganda are both at a critical stage of development and revitalization. The future we seek is one of peace, prosperity, and shared dignity. Let us take the opportunity of the China-Uganda Year of People-to-People Exchanges to deepen friendship, strengthen cooperation, and build trust from the heart," Fan said.
China's Spring Festival will fall on Feb. 17 this year, marking the beginning of the Year of the Horse. The horse is the seventh animal in the 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac.
The celebrations were jointly organized by the Chinese Embassy in Uganda, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, and the Chinese Union in Uganda.
Exhibitors said the event highlighted growing interest in Chinese culture among Ugandans. Zhang Yiwen, a manager at Ganghua Hotel, said many locals visited their booth to taste Chinese dishes, describing the enthusiasm as a sign of deepening people-to-people ties.
The event also featured performances by Chinese and Ugandan artists. Mizizi Ensemble showcased Uganda's cultural diversity through traditional dances, while an art troupe from China presented Wuju Opera, also known as Jinhua Opera, a traditional regional theatrical form with a history of more than 400 years that is popular in China's Zhejiang Province.
