China-Africa Cooperation Connects 900 House via Satellite TV

About 900 villages in Uganda have benefitted from a China-Africa cooperation to connect 10,000 African villages to the world via satellite television. The cooperation came about during the 2015 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Zhang Lizhong, Chinese ambassador to Uganda, said the project commenced in 2018, and the facilitators have implemented it in two phases. He said this while speaking at the project’S close in Uganda on Friday.

StarTimes were responsible for the project, and they installed various television sets including solar-powered sets, in homes, public places and schools.

“Through satellite television, villagers have learned and mastered knowledge and skills in agriculture, science and technology, health and other sectors,” the ambassador said.

Zhang said education and schooling would not stop with the help of these StarTimes TV programs. Schools in Uganda are currently vacant due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Samuel Mpanga, village chief of Nkumba Bendegere, where the project’s closing held, thanked China for the support.

“I would like to appeal to all the headteachers of the schools and to all individuals who received the different items to take good care of these items to keep them so well so that they can serve for a longer period,” Mpanga said.

Patrick Kabbale, head of Wagagai Health Center, one of the beneficiaries, said patients and caretakers are now able to follow up government programs, including the COVID-19 containment measures. Africa News