KAMPALA, Oct. 28 (Xinhua) -- Mbale City in eastern Uganda and Guiyang City in southwest China have signed a letter of intent to establish friendly exchange and cooperation relations, laying the groundwork for a future sister-city partnership, Uganda's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Wednesday.
The agreement, signed on Monday in Guiyang by Mbale City Mayor Joyce Matuka Kidulu and Wang Hong, mayor of Guiyang, outlines five priority areas for cooperation: smart city development and digital governance, industrial development and investment, agriculture and value addition, tourism and cultural exchange, and environmental sustainability, according to a ministry statement issued in Kampala.
The two cities agreed to establish a joint working group within two months and arrange a technical visit to Mbale to explore investment opportunities in industrial development, coffee processing and tourism, the statement said.
The proposed partnership aims to link Mbale's strengths in Arabica coffee production with Guiyang's expanding coffee industry and expertise in digital technology and green development.
Located near Mount Elgon in eastern Uganda, Mbale is a major coffee-producing area and an important industrial hub. Guiyang, the capital of China's Guizhou Province, has developed a strong presence in big data and digital industries.
The signing took place during a working visit to Guiyang by a Ugandan delegation, which also participated in a coffee trade promotion and business-matching session with the Guiyang Coffee Industry Association.
Uganda's coffee exports to China increased by 224 percent in the 2025/2026 financial year, the statement said, pointing to opportunities to expand market access and promote value addition through the cooperation framework. ■