Third Russia-Africa summit opens in Moscow

MOSCOW - The third Russia-Africa summit on Wednesday opened in Moscow with the Ugandan delegation expressing optimism. The Ugandan delegation is led by Vice President Jessica Alupo.

Russian President Vladimir Putin opened the two-day meeting attended by African leaders and government delegations who will discuss trade, tourism, defence and security, science and technology, among others.

While addressing the plenary session dubbed the Economic and Humanitarian Forum, Putin said there is currently an emerging multipolar world where everyone has a say, as opposed to power being under a few states.

He said new global governance centres are emerging, citing the BRICS bloc, which now accounts for 40 percent of the global GDP, as opposed to the G7, which accounts for only 30 percent.

Vice President Jessica Alupo (R) attending the Russia - Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum in Moscow on October 28, 2026. (All Photos by Hajarah Nalwadda)

The Russian leader said BRICS embraces different development models, civilisations and cultures. The members embrace friendship and mutual respect for each other.

He said Africa is turning into a major global player backed by it's rich natural resources, demographic potential and location at the intersection of global trade routes.

“Africans are firm in defending their interests; they want to determine their future and their development path,” Putin said.

He said as the multipolar world grows, it faces stiff opposition from countries with colonial mentality. These countries, he said, interfere in others' domestic affairs, impose sanctions, and want to trap others in debt.

Évariste Ndayishimiye, Chairperson of the African Union and President of Burundi, said the meeting is crucial in deepening Russia-Africa ties at a time when the world is facing economic, environmental and other challenges.

Haruna Kyeyune Kasolo, Minister of State for foreign Affairs (Regional Affairs) and Moses Kizige, Uganda Ambassador to Uganda attending the Russia - Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum in Moscow on October 28, 2026.

President Ndayishimiye said there is a need to build a more balanced relationship that will be built on mutual respect, trust and shared interests.

He said Africa wants to be a key participant in decision-making on global affairs and not just a simple supplier of raw materials.

He noted that Africa's rich natural resources should be the key to the prosperity of African people. He said that as the resources are being exploited, it should be to the mutual benefit of all, and also consider the environmental aspect.

Haruna Kasolo, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in charge of Regional Cooperation, told New Vision in an interview at the conference that Uganda will sign some memoranda of understanding with Russia. One of the agreements will be on waiver of visa fees for diplomats on either side.

Vladimir Putin, President of Russia speaking as Chairperson of African Union, Evariste Ndayishimiye of Burundi looks on, during the official welcoming ceremony of the Russia - Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum in Moscow, on October 28 2026.

Kasolo said Uganda will engage more on how it can access the Russian market.

"Russia is among the largest consumers of coffee and Uganda is one of the biggest exporters of coffee in Africa, so we want to see how we can tap into that market," the minister said.

Moses Kizige, Uganda's ambassador to Russia said during the summit Uganda will push for ways how Russia enterprises can add value to Uganda products. Kizige said Uganda goes into the summit with an earlier push by President Yoweri Museveni for value addition to African products instead of the continent exporting raw materials.

The envoy said since the second Russia-Africa summit in 2023, which President Museveni attended, Uganda and Russia have made tremendous progress in their bilateral ties.

He said in the defence sector, just last week Museveni commissioned military equipment with 53 million U.S. dollars from the Russia. Another equipment worth 40 million dollars was also given to Uganda by Russia. Besides the equipment, Russia has had a long-standing cooperation with Uganda in the defence and security sector.

In the education sector, Kizige said over the years Russia has increased its scholarships to Ugandan students from 16 to 50 scholarships. He said this year Russia will advertise 100 scholarships to Ugandan students and the number will be increased to 200 scholarships per year in the next two years.

In the trade sector, Kizige said last year, the trade volume increased by 71 percent, noting that the figure would have been higher if Russia did not have sanctions.

Kizige said that, in terms of human capital development, Russia is producing some of the best Ugandan scientists, especially in areas of nuclear energy, civil engineering, aeronautic engineering, among others.

“We are working with the Ministry of Science and Technology to ensure that when these scientists graduate and come back home, they are fixed in government installations so that they offer services,” Kizige said.

He revealed that over the next few months, Uganda will be the host of a regional hub for the BRICS Women Business Alliance, the women entrepreneurship arm of the BRICS Movement

He said Uganda is targeting to reap benefits from the New Development Bank, which is an initiative of BRICS member and partner states. He said Uganda would be able to access loans as a partner state. Uganda became a partner state of BRICS in 2025 at the invitation of Russia.