General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) of Uganda, welcomed a high-profile Russian military delegation to the Special Forces Command (SFC) headquarters in Entebbe on Thursday.
This visit underscores the strengthening ties between the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) and the Russian Armed Forces, signaling a deepening of bilateral defense relations.
The Russian delegation, dispatched by the Russian Minister of Defense, was tasked with exploring and enhancing the strategic cooperation between the two nations' armed forces.
The meeting was also attended by Lt. Gen. James Mugira, Managing Director of the National Enterprise Corporation (NEC), the business arm of the UPDF.
The discussions focused on expanding cooperation in defense and security, reflecting the growing military partnership between Uganda and Russia.
This high-level engagement follows Gen. Muhoozi's recent visit to Moscow, where he led a military delegation to discuss similar issues.
The CDF's office highlighted in a media brief that the meeting with the Russian delegation aimed at strengthening mutual defense interests and exploring new areas of collaboration.
Gen. Muhoozi has been actively involved in fostering military ties with Russia, having met with various Russian military officials in recent times.
Notably, he recently engaged with Maj. Gen. Sergey Marchuk, who has been assigned to Uganda to oversee military cooperation.
The discussions during these meetings have revolved around several military matters of mutual interest, aiming to enhance operational and strategic collaboration between the two nations.
The diplomatic relationship between Russia and Uganda dates back to October 13, 1962, marking over six decades of bilateral engagement.
Uganda hosts a representative office of Rostec, Russia's state-owned corporation, which also supports Rosoboronexport's interests in the country.
This longstanding relationship has been further solidified by recent commitments from Russia to establish Uganda as a regional hub for the development, upgrading, and maintenance of Russian military equipment and technology.
Uganda has been a significant customer of Russian military hardware, including war jets, helicopters, artillery, and reconnaissance equipment.
Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters
Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox
Additionally, the Pro Heli Plant International Services at Nakasongola Air Base in central Uganda plays a crucial role in this partnership.
President Yoweri Museveni recently inaugurated the first-ever overhauled and upgraded Russian Type helicopter in sub-Saharan Africa at this facility, showcasing the advanced capabilities and cooperation between the two nations.
In May 2023, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov emphasized the deepening cooperation between Kampala and Moscow in several strategic areas.
This includes developing satellites, remote sensing technologies, and land and space infrastructure for both military and civilian applications.
The recent meeting between Gen. Muhoozi and the Russian delegation signifies a new chapter in Uganda's defense relationships, promising enhanced collaboration and support in military and technological advancements.
As Uganda continues to bolster its defense capabilities, the strengthening of ties with Russia represents a critical aspect of its strategic military planning and regional influence.
