Uganda recommits to Russia-Africa ties in global affairs

CAIRO - Uganda, at the just concluded Second Ministerial Conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum in Cairo, Egypt, on Saturday, said it is committed to working with Russia and African states in upholding international law as the cornerstone of peaceful and cooperative international relations.

Ambassador John Mugerwa, Head of the Ugandan delegation, told the Second Ministerial Russia-Africa Partnership Forum that the East African country supports ongoing efforts to reform the United Nations Security Council so that it better reflects contemporary geopolitical realities.

Mugerwa said Uganda recognises the growing importance of inclusive multilateral platforms, including BRICS, in fostering a more equitable global governance architecture.

"We welcome BRICS’ engagement with African countries in advancing fair representation, strengthening participation in global decision-making processes, and promoting a just international order grounded in sovereign equality," the ambassador said.

He said the South–South and triangular cooperation are practical and effective mechanisms for accelerating sustainable development.

"Such partnerships enable African countries, traditional partners, and emerging actors to pool technical expertise, mobilise financial resources, and deploy innovative solutions aligned with African development priorities under Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development," he noted.

Mugerwa said the deepening partnership with Russia and Africa is important to advance peace, prosperity, and sustainable development.

The two-day meeting, which started on Friday, assessed the state of Russian–African relations. It was the first time the Russia–Africa Partnership Forum was held in Africa after the inaugural meeting was held in the Russian city of Sochi.

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, in an article to African media, published by New Vision regarding the meeting, said the Russia-Africa ties date back over sixty years, as Russia supported African nations to fight colonialism.

Lavrov said Russian diplomacy will contribute to the development of the African continent as an influential centre of a multipolar world.

"This priority is enshrined in the Concept of the Foreign Policy of the Russian Federation. We believe that it is the inalienable right of African countries to independently determine the ways and models of their development and to choose international partners," the foreign minister said.

He noted that as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, Russia pays special attention to the maintenance of peace and security in Africa as a necessary condition for its social and economic progress.

(L-R) Amb Henry Mayega, Head International Economic Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb John Leonard Mugerwa Head International Legal and Social Services at Ministry of Foreign Affairs (and Head of the Delegation) and Amb Moses Kizige, Ambassador Extra-Ordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Uganda in Moscow during the Second Ministerial Conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum in Cairo, Egypt on December 20 2025.

In the spirit of the "African solutions to African problems" concept, we are contributing to the settlement of regional conflicts and enhanced potential of the States of the continent to combat terrorism, Lavrov said.

In a joint statement issued at the end of the meeting, Egyptian foreign affairs minister Abdelatty delivered the opening speech of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, who said the ministerial meeting represents a continuation of the steady development in Africa–Russia relations and builds on the momentum of the previous summits held in Sochi in 2019 and Saint Petersburg in 2023.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov delivered a speech on behalf of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who said Moscow attaches special importance to developing friendly relations and partnerships with African countries based on mutual respect and shared benefit.

Putin said Africa is rapidly establishing itself as one of the most significant centres of the emerging multipolar world order. He noted that Russia places great importance on developing friendly, fully equal, and mutually beneficial relations with its African partners.

“Our country supports African states in ensuring national security and addressing food shortages, combating terrorism and extremism, overcoming the consequences of natural disasters, and countering dangerous epidemics,” the Russian leader said.

Lavrov said Russia helps beef up the defence capabilities of African countries to confront domestic and external threats, primarily terrorist threats.

Badr Abdelatty, Egyptian foreign minister said Egypt strives to build a more equitable and stable international system based on sovereign equality and non-interference in the internal affairs of states.

Abdelatty said Egypt rejects any attempt to resettle Palestinians from Gaza or to change the demographic situation in the strip.

He noted that political dialogue between African countries and Russia is a cornerstone of building mutual understanding and coordinating positions on regional and international issues.

Omar Alieu Touray, Economic Community of West African States Commission President, said Russia’s support for Africa fits within a framework that respects the continental position without seeking to impose anything.

Touray noted that the ministerial meeting allows for deepening the ties between Africa and Russia.