Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni addresses a ceremony held by the Chinese Embassy to mark the 68th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, in Kampala Sept. 25, 2017.(Xinhua/Zhang Gaiping)

KAMPALA, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has hailed deepening China-Africa ties, noting that their cooperation dates back to the colonial era when many African countries were fighting for independence.

Museveni was speaking at a ceremony held here to commemorate the 68th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

"I am here to salute the contribution of China to the emancipation of Africa. All those countries which were fighting (to gain independence) got support from the Chinese government," Museveni said.

He said although China was underdeveloped then, it made sure it supported the African freedom fighters.

Museveni also said that African countries have supported China both diplomatically and in terms of trade.

The Ugandan leader said that many African countries import their products from China, citing Uganda which imports goods worth 800 million U.S. dollars from China.

He hailed China for noninterference in domestic issues noting that unlike Western powers, the Asian country just expresses its opinion which you can take or leave.

File photo shows local students sing Chinese songs during the first Confucius Institute Open Day at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda. (Xinhua/Yuan Qing)

"Chinese don't come here to tell us what to do. They come, you give your opinion and they give theirs. They will always take yours because they know it is your country," he said.

Zheng Zhuqiang, Chinese Ambassador to Uganda hailed Uganda for its support to China on international issues like the South China Sea and the one-China Policy.

The ceremony that was also among others attended by foreign envoys, cultural leaders had performances which included singing, dancing and martial arts by Chinese and Ugandans.