Book discussion: Ugandan agency within China-Africa relations

The session will host a hybrid seminar presentation on a book titled ‘Ugandan Agency within China-Africa Relations: President Museveni and China’s Foreign Policy in East Africa’ authored by Dr. Barney Walsh.

The book presents an in-depth study of China's involvement in East Africa through a specific focus on President Museveni of Uganda who has been uniquely influential in utilising China's presence to shape regional security dynamics in his favour. Focussing primarily on the period 2010–2015, the book places the spotlight on the 'Coalition of the Willing' formed between Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda, who undertook high-profile, exciting but controversial regional integration projects without Tanzania and Burundi. Key to those efforts were Chinese-funded mega-infrastructure projects, such as the Standard Gauge Railway and Uganda's oil pipeline.

Dr Walsh's analysis of the East African Community (EAC) reveals China's role in ongoing security issues related to terrorism, resulting from the country's role in small arms and light weapons (SALW) proliferation and the global ivory trade. Additionally, China is heavily implicated in the region's 'oil sector', as it is a market for oil, involved in developing the sector, and a key partner in mega-infrastructure construction. Throughout this, though the EAC as an institution has been trying to stabilise regional security dynamics and strengthen its institutional role, it has been unduly influenced by the personalities and presence of key African leaders. Here, Museveni's role in such processes has been crucial, as he has made great efforts to utilise Chinese engagement in order to shape regional processes.

Note: This is a hybrid event and participants can join the discussion online. 

Speaker

Dr Barney Walsh

Dr Barney Walsh is a Senior Lecturer in Security, Leadership and Development Education at the African Leadership Centre (ALC). He is programme convenor of the blended learning MSc Global Leadership and Peacebuilding and Managing Editor of the ALC Journal of Leadership and Developing Societies. He is also a mentor on the various ALC Fellowship programmes.

Discussant

Dr Liliane Mouan

Liliane is a Senior Advisor on Corruption and Human Rights in West and Central Africa at Amnesty International.

Chair

Dr Eka Ikpe

Dr Eka Ikpe is Director and Reader (Development Economics in Africa) at the African Leadership Centre at King's. Her research offers a critical understanding of socio-economic transformation processes which advances concept-building that centres spaces in Africa and parts of the Global South across the fields of economic development and peace and security.