Uganda has deepened its long-standing military and ideological partnership with Russia following the handover of defence equipment worth USD 53 million from Moscow to the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).
The ceremony, held on October 26, 2025, at Gaddafi Military Barracks in Magamaga, Mayuge District, also marked the commissioning of a Military Mechanized Major Repair Facility and the inspection of a related workshop under construction in Entebbe.
President Yoweri Museveni, who officiated at the event, hailed Russia as one of Africa’s most reliable partners in both liberation and development, describing the donation as a “very important and practical contribution” to Uganda’s growing defence capacity.
“I want to thank His Excellency Vladimir Putin for this donation of various equipment valued at USD 53 million. All of them are good, and they make work so easy,” Museveni said, praising Russia’s technological advancement and its long-term friendship with Africa.
Museveni emphasized that the new facility would greatly enhance Uganda’s ability to maintain its military hardware locally, reducing dependency on foreign contractors. “What the Russians have done is just a glimpse of the good things they have achieved,” he added.
He described the equipment, including obstacle clearers, trench diggers, boats, workshops, and a coastal station, as a symbol of renewed collaboration between Kampala and Moscow.
A partnership rooted in history and strategic interests
Reflecting on the shared history between Uganda and Russia, Museveni traced their partnership to the early 20th-century struggles for African liberation. “By 1900, the whole of Africa, except for Ethiopia, had been colonized,” he recalled.
“The first Africans to organize for liberation were the South Africans who formed the ANC in 1912. But globally, we were isolated. The only friends of African freedom fighters were African Americans. Then came the 1917 revolution in Russia, which changed the world and gave hope to the colonized nations.”
He further noted that the 1949 revolution in China broadened solidarity among nations fighting for freedom and independence.
“Our relationship with Russia is not just about defence and security, it is ideological and strategic. The Soviet Union and later Russia stood with Africa when others did not,” he emphasized.
At the ceremony, Hon. Jacob Oboth Oboth, Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, commended Museveni for his consistent leadership and for prioritizing national security as a foundation for economic progress.
“We thank you, Your Excellency, for the wise guidance you continue to provide. Your prioritization of security as a precondition for development has shaped our success as a ministry and as a force,” he said.
Oboth also expressed gratitude to the Russian government for its generosity and reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to deepening technical and defence cooperation with Moscow.
Representing the Chief of Defence Forces, Lt Gen Kayanja Muhanga, Commander of Land Forces, said the Russian support symbolizes genuine partnership and a shared commitment to peace and stability.
“This assistance is not just about equipment; it represents a long-standing bond built on trust, mutual respect, and shared history,” he said.
Reaffirming bilateral cooperation
The Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Uganda, H.E. Vladlen Semivolos, reiterated Moscow’s commitment to strengthening ties with Kampala.
“Russia was among the first nations to recognise Uganda’s independence,” he said, adding that his country is pleased to see Uganda continue to develop as “a strong, independent, democratic, and prosperous nation.”
Semivolos also referenced the 2023 meeting between Museveni and Putin during the Second Russia–Africa Summit, which laid the groundwork for expanding cooperation in trade, energy, technology, and defence.
To honour the enduring friendship between the two nations, ten Russian dignitaries were awarded the National Independence Diamond Jubilee Medal in recognition of their contributions to strengthening Uganda’s sovereignty and defence.
The event brought together senior officials from Uganda’s defence establishment, including the Permanent Secretary of Defence Rosette Byengoma, Lt Gen Jack Agonza Bakasumba, Maj Gen D.K. Sande, and other top military commanders.
Museveni reaffirmed that Uganda’s foreign relations will continue to be guided by strategic interests and pragmatic cooperation. He described the donation as not merely an act of goodwill but “a reflection of genuine friendship and shared purpose.”
