The Chief of Defence Forces, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has bid farewell to Vladlen Semivolos, the outgoing Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Uganda, marking the end of a diplomatic tenure that significantly deepened military and economic ties between Uganda and Russia.
The farewell call, held at the Special Forces Command headquarters in Entebbe, saw Gen Kainerugaba commend the ambassador for strengthening a long-standing partnership rooted in historical cooperation and evolving into a modern strategic alliance.
Ambassador Semivolos, who presented his credentials in late 2021, has served in Uganda for approximately four years and five months.
His tenure coincided with a period of expanding engagement between Kampala and Moscow across defence, trade, and technical sectors.
Gen Kainerugaba described the bilateral relationship as “unbreakable,” emphasizing its importance to regional stability and national security.
He highlighted Russia’s contribution to the modernization and professionalization of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces, noting that military-technical cooperation has enhanced operational readiness, border security, and specialized capabilities.
Military relations between the two countries have grown steadily, with Uganda continuing to rely on Russian-supplied equipment, training, and technical support.
In recent years, this has included the acquisition of military engineering assets, air defence systems, and naval equipment valued at tens of millions of dollars, reinforcing the UPDF’s capacity to respond to both conventional and asymmetric threats.
On the economic front, trade between Uganda and Russia has also seen gradual growth, with annual bilateral trade estimated at over 100 million US dollars.
Uganda’s exports to Russia largely consist of agricultural products such as coffee, tea, and fruits, while imports from Russia include machinery, fertilizers, petroleum products, and industrial equipment. Both countries have expressed interest in expanding trade volumes, particularly in agro-processing, energy, and infrastructure development.
In his remarks, Ambassador Semivolos pointed to what he described as a consolidation of ties during his tenure, highlighting ongoing negotiations aimed at formalizing cooperation through Memoranda of Understanding in tourism, agriculture, and immigration.
He also noted progress toward a reciprocal visa-waiver agreement for holders of diplomatic and official passports, a move expected to ease official travel and further strengthen institutional collaboration.
While wishing the ambassador success in his next assignment, Gen Kainerugaba reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to deepening engagement with Russia, particularly in defence cooperation and strategic partnerships.
He noted that frequent high-level exchanges between the two countries have become a clear indicator of their close and growing relationship.
The meeting was attended by senior UPDF officials, including Chief of Joint Staff Lt Gen Jack Bakasumba, SFC Chief of Staff Brig Gen Paul Namawa, Joint Staff Logistics Brig Gen Godwin Karugaba, and Marine Brigade Commander Brig Gen Micheal Nyarwa.
The departure of Ambassador Semivolos marks the close of a diplomatic chapter that has seen Uganda and Russia strengthen cooperation across multiple fronts, laying a firm foundation for even closer ties in the years ahead.