Museveni commissions military facilities under Uganda-Russia defence cooperation

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President Yoweri Museveni has commissioned and launched a series of military facilities, equipment and training infrastructure under Uganda’s defence cooperation with Russia.

The unveiling on Thursday (today) is part of the during a two-day engagements with a Russian delegation led by Lt. Gen. Aleksandr Kshimovskii.  The activities, held on October 21 and 22, covered: military training, marine security, modern warfare technology and equipment maintenance, with the facilities intended to strengthen the operational capabilities of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).

On the first day, President Museveni, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the UPDF, began the programme at the Mechanised Warfare College in Kalama, Mubende District, before proceeding to the 15 Marine Brigade Pier in Entebbe.

The Presidential Press Unit reveals that on Thursday, October 22, Museveni visited the 154 Marine Battalion School at Kalangalo before concluding the programme at Magamaga Cantonment in Jinja District, where he commissioned a mechanised major repair facility valued at $53 million.

At Kalama, President Museveni launched a digital multimedia training classroom designed to prepare military crews to operate the BRDM-2MS armoured reconnaissance vehicle. The facility will enable personnel to familiarise themselves with the vehicle’s capabilities before proceeding to practical training.

In Entebbe, the  Commander in Chief also commissioned marine operational assets and supporting infrastructure, including surveillance radar, eight boats, a floating dock, protective barriers, marine workshops, firefighting equipment, specialised vehicles, a field ambulance and training facilities.

Addressing the team at the 154 Marine Battalion School in Kalangalo, President Museveni urged the military to embrace artificial intelligence (AI), automation and advances in science and technology to improve its ability to respond to emerging security threats.

“Advance on the issue of technology, embrace new technology, more automation, more AI, more range because we need to upgrade it overall,” he said.

 The President, according to PPU, emphasised that modernising the armed forces requires continuous investment in technology, alongside the development of technical skills and operational capacity.

At Magamaga Cantonment, near Jinja, President Museveni commissioned a mechanised major repair facility valued at US $53 million, donated by the Russian government under the bilateral defence cooperation framework between Uganda and Russia.

The facility is expected to strengthen the UPDF’s capacity to maintain and repair military vehicles and other equipment, reducing the challenges associated with servicing complex military machinery.

President Museveni thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Russian delegation for the support. “I want to thank His Excellency President Putin and the Russian delegation for this gift of $53 million worth of equipment,” he added during the  events.

He noted that the Russian assistance extended beyond the Magamaga facility to include: military training infrastructure at Kalama, marine security facilities in Entebbe and capabilities at Kalangalo. The installations, he added, were intended to enhance the armed forces’ ability to detect threats, protect personnel, maintain equipment and operate more effectively in different environments.

Museveni  also called for consideration of local production in partnership with Russian technical experts, saying such cooperation could help Uganda build domestic manufacturing capacity.

“But these materials, I think, were made in Russia. What if we made them here with the Russians?” he asked.

At another engagement, the President  stressed that Uganda, should not only acquire modern military equipment but also develop the technical expertise required to operate, maintain and eventually manufacture it.

“We should not only get the good equipment but also learn from them,” he said during another engagement, commissioning of the marine facilities in Entebbe.

Government commends Russia partnership

PPU reports that  he credited the President’s engagement with the Russian leadership with sustaining diplomatic relations and creating opportunities for cooperation, particularly in defence and military technical assistance.

“Your continued engagement with the Russian leadership has sustained the cordial diplomatic relations between our two countries and opened avenues for mutually beneficial cooperation, particularly in defence and military technical assistance. We thank you most sincerely,” Kiwanuka stated.

He said the Russian government’s contribution had supported the development and equipping of several defence installations across Uganda. The Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs and the UPDF leadership pledged to ensure that the facilities were properly utilised and maintained to achieve their intended objectives.

Russia reaffirms military cooperation

The head of the Russian delegation, Lt. Gen. Aleksandr Kshimovskii, reaffirmed Russia’s commitment to continued military technical cooperation with Uganda.

Russia, he said, will  continue supporting Uganda with the equipment required to strengthen its defence capabilities.

“We shall continue to develop mutual cooperation between Uganda and Russia. Russia is ready to supply the necessary equipment,” he said.

The two-day programme highlighted the scope of Uganda-Russia defence cooperation, encompassing military training, marine operations, modern warfare technology and the maintenance of armoured fighting vehicles.

Dignitaries at the different events included: UPDF brigade commanders, junior officers, representatives of sister security agencies and local leaders.