Vice President H.E Maj (Rtd) Jessica Alupo has called for stronger economic and diplomatic cooperation between African countries and Russia, highlighting trade, tourism, industrial development and information and communication technology as key areas for mutually beneficial partnerships.
Alupo is representing President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni at the Third Russia-Africa Summit and Economic and Humanitarian Forum taking place in Moscow on October 28–29, 2026.
The summit brings together African delegations and Russian officials to discuss trade, investment, technology, energy and broader cooperation between Russia and the continent.
Speaking about the importance of the engagement, Alupo said the event provides an opportunity to deepen cooperation across several sectors while building on the longstanding historical relationship between Africa and Russia.
“The event is very important for strengthening relations between Africa and the Russian Federation in areas such as economics, trade, tourism and industry. It also provides an opportunity for ICT exchanges, sharing experiences and strengthening cooperation for mutual benefit,” she said.
Alupo said the historical ties between Russia and African countries, which date back to the continent’s liberation struggles, should provide a foundation for partnerships that help African countries achieve greater economic independence.
She called on Russia to continue building on those relations by supporting Africa’s development aspirations and helping countries strengthen their economic capacity.
Uganda and Russia already cooperate in several areas, including trade and investment, agriculture, energy, oil and gas, science and technology, education, healthcare and defence. The two countries established an Intergovernmental Commission on Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation to coordinate bilateral engagement and identify further opportunities.
Ahead of the Moscow summit, Uganda’s Ambassador to Russia, Moses Kizige, said the two governments were preparing more than ten memoranda of understanding covering areas such as education, food security, science and technology, oil and gas, and nuclear energy. The proposed agreements also include a visa waiver arrangement for diplomatic and service passport holders.
Education remains another area of engagement, with the Russian Government offering scholarship opportunities to Ugandan students and both countries seeking to expand academic exchanges and scientific research.
Uganda is also pursuing greater access to Russian markets for its agricultural products and seeking investment in local processing and manufacturing to increase the value of its exports.
The summit comes as Uganda seeks to attract investment, expand industrial production and strengthen its international economic partnerships. Alupo’s participation provides an opportunity for the Ugandan delegation to advance these priorities and build on the historical relationship between Kampala and Moscow.
The key question is how existing agreements and proposed partnerships can translate into tangible outcomes, including jobs, technology transfer, increased exports and expanded opportunities for Ugandan businesses.