‘Sure deal’ Russia military tells Uganda army
CAPTION: Mr Anatoli Punchuk (C) head of Russian delegation during the meeting with UPDF senior officers June 4th, 2025. (Courtesy photo.)
By Our reporter
KAMPALA – Russia has assured Uganda that it will never regret for being its ally, a country described as a federal democratic state on paper but in practice many regard it as a dictator built around one man, President Vladimir Putin.
He has been the leader of the Russian Federation since the year 2000. Russia has all the working parts of a democratic state, but since Putin took power, experts believe these working parts have been made to serve him and those close to him.
Russia is on spot for invading Ukraine where people have been killed and property destroyed while Uganda military is criticized for human rights abuse.
Russia Military made the assurance in a Russia –Uganda Intergovernmental Commission on Military-Technical Cooperation meeting at NEC Headquarters, June 4th, 2025,
“I assure you, there will be no regrets. Our relationship has only grown stronger,” Mr Anatoli Punchuk, head of Russia military delegation said. He did not give details of the assurance.
He commended Uganda’s strides in peace and development, noting increased cooperation across political, economic, and business sectors.
“In 2024–2025, we saw active delegation exchanges between the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces and Russian defense industry enterprises aimed at strengthening military-technical cooperation,” he added.
Mr Punchuk, appreciated the Ugandan government’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties with Russsia.
Lt Gen James Mugira, Managing Director, National Enterprise Corporation (NEC), the enterprise arm of UPDF described Uganda’s military-technical partnership with Russia as historic and strategically vital.
“Russia has been a strategic ally of the African people, offering critical support to liberation movements during the struggle for independence from colonial rule,” he said.
Lt Gen Mugira hailed the engagement as a significant step forward in bilateral relations.
The meeting follows earlier sessions held in Moscow in July 2022 and June 2024, marking continued progress in cooperation between the two nations.
Lt Gen Mugira highlighted Russia’s enduring contribution to military capacity building, which he said has helped African countries protect their sovereignty and territorial integrity.
He appealed for deeper collaboration in defence, manufacturing, calling on Russia to support local production efforts.
“For our trusted allies like you, we request your support in building partnerships for the local production of military goods and services needed for the defence of our country,” he said.
Addressing the broader historical context, he reflected on the legacy of colonial economic systems that relegated Africa to a supplier of raw materials. He stressed that a truly equitable relationship between Uganda and Russia must involve support for African self-reliance.
“Only then can we speak of true and meaningful independence,” he asserted.
Senior officials in attendance included NEC Luwero Industries General Manager Maj Gen Sabiiti Muzeyi, Deputy Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) Air Force Commander Maj Gen David Isimbwa, Artillery Division Commander Maj Gen Daniel Kakono, Russian Ambassador to Uganda H.E. Vladlen Semivolos, delegates from the Russian Embassy, and senior officers from the UPDF.
Recently, UPDF received a consignment of topographic mapping equipment worth US$ 3 million (Shs10.8 billion), donated by the Russian Federation’s Ministry of Defence.
The equipment was officially handed over at the Special Forces Command (SFC) Headquarters in Entebbe.
Major General Sergey Marchuk, head of the Russian Military Specialists’ Office in Uganda, handed over the equipment to Brigadier General Paul Namawa, Chief of Staff of the Special Forces Command.
The topographic mapping tools are designed to produce highly detailed and accurate representations of terrain, including elevation data, natural landscapes, and man-made structures. Such technology is essential for military planning and operations, as well as in civilian applications like urban development, disaster response, agriculture, and infrastructure planning.
The donation reflects the ongoing military-technical cooperation between Uganda and Russia and highlights the enduring partnership between the two
Uganda and Russia have maintained strong ties, especially in military cooperation dating back to Uganda’s independence.
In February 2023, the two countries launched PRO HELI International Service Limited, a joint venture with Uganda’s National Enterprise Corporation which specializes in the maintenance, repair, and overhaul of civil and military helicopters.
