Xi Jinping’s Propaganda Gift Arrives in Uganda

(Beijing) – China’s Xi Jinping. Xi, always eager to flaunt China’s never ending fountain of flowery words, penned a letter (“special” birthday message) that, quite frankly, could put anyone to sleep faster than a lullaby.
This message was not just a simple “happy birthday.” This was an artfully constructed propaganda piece, filled with vague statements about Uganda’s “great achievements” under Museveni’s leadership and the two countries’ “heart toheart” friendship. But if you look past the platitudes, it is just another attempt by China to sneak in its agenda under the guise of diplomacy.
Xi took this golden opportunity to remind everyone about Uganda’s leadership in the Non Aligned Movement and the G77+China group. These are acronyms not many in Uganda really care about. He mentioned the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), of course touting its “complete success,” as if the summit did anything more than serve as a stage for China’s usual promises to Africa—promises that seem to vanish into thin air once the speeches are over.
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Xi’s closing line mentions working hand in hand with Museveni to safeguard “international fairness and justice.” When we think of fairness and justice, the first thing that comes to mind is China’s glorious track record in the South China Sea. What Xi really means by this is continuing China’s unchecked march toward global dominance while wrapping everything in a sweet package of cooperation and “friendship”.
For Museveni, this message may be flattering on the surface, but Ugandans should remember that it is nothing more than China’s usual PR routine. While Xi writes about “common development and prosperity for the Global South,” China is busy indebting African countries through opaque loans and infrastructure projects that benefit Beijing far more than local populations.
But Museveni, ever the gracious host, celebrated his 80th birthday with hundreds of guests at the Presidential Demonstration Farm in Kawumu, Luweero. Perhaps as he cut the cake, he reflected on his “heart to heart” friendship with China, wondering just how many more beautifully worded but ultimately hollow promises he will receive before China’s ambitions come knocking on Uganda’s door.
Does Xi even care about Museveni’s 80 years of life, or is this just another step in China’s long game of making friends to further its own global agenda?
Let’s be real. Uganda, like many African nations, deserves better than birthday cards stuffed with propaganda. If Xi truly valued the relationship, he might spend less time on flattery and more time ensuring that China’s promises to Africa—whether in trade, development, or security—are kept.