Uganda relations with Russia growing stronger — Ambassador Kizige

KAMPALA - Uganda and Russia are holding the 3rd Intergovernmental Commission on Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation this week to devise means of scaling up the bilateral ties. 

The Intergovernmental Commission, which will include a Business Conference, will be held from October 7-8.

 Uganda’s Ambassador to Russia, Moses Kizige, told New Vision in an interview that this would be the third meeting after the first session was held in May 2015 and the second in May 2018 in Moscow.

Ambassador Kizige said the ties between the two countries are getting deeper, noting that early this year, Russia’s sponsorship for Uganda to join the BRICS as a partner state was approved by the bloc that brings together Brazil, Russia, India, and China, among other countries.

Natalya Kirillova, a Russian musician, performs traditional Russian opera music during the Russian festival at Makerere University, on September 19 2025. (Credit: Hajarah Nalwadda)

Ambassador Kizige said recently, Minister of State for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs Kabuye Kyofa was invited to Moscow under the BRICS framework, where he met several of his colleagues to discuss how best they can collaborate and address issues and challenges that affect cities.

Some of the issues discussed include public transport in heavily populated cities.

“Our minister was able to go through the metro system, the bus transport system and the taxi system, which he found very amazing, and we are looking for solutions,” Kizige said.

He said, looking at Moscow’s experience, Kampala can also have a metro system, where, in some cases, it can be as deep as 200 meters without affecting the existing infrastructure.

The ambassador said while in Moscow, Minister Kyofa also looked at garbage management and how lessons learnt can be implemented back home.

“Most important of all, they agreed with the leadership of Moscow city that there would be more collaboration with the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) on a number of engagements which would improve the welfare of our people,” Kizige said.

Natalya Lakova, a Russian musician, performs modern Russian music as people dance along during the Russian Festival at Makerere University, on September 19 2025. (Credit: Hajarah Nalwadda)

He noted that later this month, the leadership of KCCA would be in St. Petersburg, attending another BRICS Municipality Conference as a follow-up to what had been discussed in Moscow with the minister.  

Ambassador Kizige said that Russia continues to extend scholarships to Ugandan students to go and study in Russia.

“We need more engagement from institutions of higher learning. Russia gives good education, which is cost-effective and practical. So there is a lot in that area. There is a lot in exchange for scientific knowledge. We want to see more cooperation at all levels,” the ambassador said.

He said Uganda’s embassy in Russia collaborates with Russian education institutions to reskill its staff. Such institutions include the Russian Financial University and Patrice Lumumba Friendship University, among others.