Closer economic and political ties between China and Africa have added to the progressively intricate image of China held on the African continent. Using in-depth interviews with 20 journalists of Baganda origin in the Kingdom of Buganda in Uganda, this paper collates Chinese and Ganda cultures to explore how native cultural values mold the ways Ugandan journalists observe China and China-linked affairs. Seeing the focus in both cultures on regard for “authority”, China’s authoritarian state-capitalism is a notable negative factor adding to China’s image. However, the chief source of dispute is the gap between the isolated, closed-minded, racist expatriate Chinese community and the Buganda native culture that fostered diversity. This inquiry invites more Sino–African studies on a micro level, based on native culture outside the common politico–economic frameworks.