Russia-Uganda intergovernmental meeting opens in Kampala

KAMPALA - Russian and Ugandan government officials on Tuesday started a two-day meeting at Speke Resort Munyonyo for the 3rd Intergovernmental Commission on Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation.

Elly Kamahungye, Director International and Regional Economic Cooperation at Uganda's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who opened the meeting, said the longstanding and dynamic relationship between Uganda and Russia is rooted in mutual respect and shared interests.

Kamahungye said the bilateral ties continue to evolve as both countries jointly pursue pathways to sustainable development, peace, and enhanced international cooperation.

Russian delegations attending the 3rd Uganda - Russia Intergovernmental Commission on Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation, alongside a dynamic Business Conference at Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort in Kampala, on September 7, 2025. (Credit: Hajarah Nalwadda)

"Russia has stood as a trusted and reliable partner in supporting Uganda’s aspirations in various fields," he said, noting that diplomatic relations with Russia started in 1962 when Uganda gained independence.

He noted that both countries have cooperated in various fields, including peace and security, economy, trade, industry, and finance, among others.

Renat Agliullin, deputy director of the department of development of bilateral cooperation of Russia's Ministry of Economic Cooperation, said during the session the parties will discuss defence, security, trade, ICT, oil and gas, tourism, health, and education, among others.

Russian delegations touring Ugandan coffee stalls during the 3rd Uganda - Russia Intergovernmental Commission on Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation, alongside a dynamic Business Conference at Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort in Kampala, on September 7, 2025. (Credit: Hajarah Nalwadda)

"We came here prepared for an open and constructive dialogue. I am confident that our efforts will contribute to the development of bilateral trade and economic relations and will have a positive impact on the well-being of our people," Agliullin said.

Russian Ambassador to Uganda Vladlen Semivolos said the bilateral ties date back to the anti-colonial struggles, where Russia provided support to African countries to gain independence.

Semivolos said every country has a legitimate right to decide its own future and choose a path of national development.

He said the bilateral meeting between President Yoweri Museveni and Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Russia-Africa summit in July 2023 at Saint Petersburg laid a broad foundation for deepening the bilateral relations.

Uganda government officials and the Russian delegation attending the 3rd Uganda - Russia Intergovernmental Commission on Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation, alongside a dynamic Business Conference at Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort in Kampala, on September 7, 2025. (Credit: Hajarah Nalwadda)

In June this year, Vice President Jessica Alupo visited Moscow, where she met the Speaker of the Russian Parliament.

The Russian envoy said Uganda is an ally in the BRICS framework, which it joined in January this year.

"Uganda's participation in BRICS fully meets the interests of all members of the community and is intended to establish closer cooperation between diversification in trade relations by increasing access to the growing markets of the Global South," Semivolos said.

He said Russia exports to Uganda cereals, paper, machinery, among others, while Uganda exports to Russia coffee.

Russian delegations touring Ugandan fabric stalls during the 3rd Uganda - Russia Intergovernmental Commission on Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation, alongside a dynamic Business Conference at Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort in Kampala, on September 7, 2025. (Credit: Hajarah Nalwadda)

He noted that the next step is to reduce the trade imbalance by increasing and diversifying supplies from Uganda to Russia and moving from simple commodity trade to more complex forms of economic cooperation.

More than 37 Russian delegates from different ministries and agencies are attending the meeting. There is also a Business Exhibition.

The meeting comes seven years after the second session, which was held in 2018 and the first session in 2015.