Recently, BAIC FOTON held a brand launch event and inauguration ceremony for its new assembly plant in Kampala, the capital of Uganda. The milestone event was attended by Ugandan government officials and senior company executives, marking a significant step forward in BAIC FOTON’s strategic expansion in the East African market.
As a landlocked country in East Africa, Uganda’s economy relies heavily on agriculture and basic services, with a relatively weak industrial base. To promote its “import substitution” policy, the Ugandan government encourages foreign companies to establish KD assembly operations. Seizing this policy opportunity, BAIC FOTON has made significant market inroads by targeting high-demand segments such as light trucks, medium-duty trucks, and buses. By partnering with local enterprises to build assembly lines, the company has effectively reduced production costs and responded quickly to market needs, gradually establishing a strong presence in Uganda’s commercial vehicle sector.
At the launch event, both indoor and outdoor exhibition areas showcased a range of BAIC FOTON’s flagship models, while the technical team provided in-depth explanations of each vehicle’s performance advantages. In a lively and enthusiastic atmosphere, government and business representatives jointly unveiled the plaque for the new assembly plant, marking the official start of operations. The commissioning of this facility not only strengthens BAIC FOTON’s local manufacturing capabilities in Uganda but also lays a solid foundation for enhancing after-sales service efficiency and building a comprehensive value chain in the region.
During the event, BAIC FOTON signed strategic cooperation agreements with several local logistics and transportation companies. In their remarks, customer representatives praised the reliability of BAIC FOTON’s products and the company’s quick service response, expressing strong confidence and anticipation for future collaboration. Li Xiangdong, Vice General Manager of Heavy-Duty Truck Business of BAIC FOTON International at BAIC FOTON, stated that the company will continue to enhance its quality control systems and, through initiatives such as spare parts reserves and technical training, provide Ugandan customers with more efficient and worry-free vehicle solutions.
The completion and launch of the Uganda assembly plant is expected to create a significant number of local jobs and drive coordinated development across the automotive industry value chain. This will further accelerate the modernization of Uganda’s automotive sector. To date, BAIC FOTON has established an extensive network of partnerships across Africa—including in South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Zambia, and Ethiopia—encompassing over 220 sales and service outlets. The company also operates 12 KD plants, 46 parts warehouses, and 8 major training centers across the continent, forming a localized operational ecosystem that integrates products, services, spare parts, and talent development.
Building on its current footprint, BAIC FOTON is actively advancing its “Africa Strategy” by implementing a series of three consecutive “Three-Year Action Plans” aimed at systematically developing full value-chain capabilities. The company is prioritizing key segments such as heavy-duty trucks, pickup trucks, and buses, while supporting African nations in building green and sustainable transportation systems. Looking ahead, BAIC FOTON will continue to deepen its presence in the East African market, steadily promote the development of new energy vehicles and supporting infrastructure, and actively contribute to the upgrading of Uganda’s automotive industry—injecting new momentum into the region’s sustainable economic growth.
