Someone told me recently that his first flight was to China, some time back. How? He paid some 2m and was added to the team that was fully facilitated by Govt of China for a short course on oil and gas. He is in the private sector, and his work totally has nothing to do with oil and gas. While laughing shyly, he said that almost the entire Ugandan team was as misplaced as him, and they sat through the trainings with no idea what was going on - only looking forward to evenings to tour and shop. Meanwhile countries like S. Africa, Tanzania, and Malawi had sent technical people working in oil and gas-related sectors - and they actively engaged the trainers. The Ugandans were embarrassed, but did not regret the cheap trip. And they were promised by their contacts that there are other upcoming trainings in other countries which they can attend at some fee. The same way government scholarships hardly target talent anymore, but connections and bribes. Of course China is also targeting Uganda’s resources, but its crumbs can’t even be put to national help. Corruption can’t leave anything alive in a country.