The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Gen. Jeje Odongo Abubakhar, held a bilateral meeting with his Russian counterpart, H.E. Sergey Lavrov, in Moscow. This was on the sidelines of the Official Working Visit of H.E. Jessica Alupo, Vice President of the Republic of Uganda, to the Russian Federation.
The two Ministers exchanged views on a range of bilateral and international issues of mutual interest, including preparations for the upcoming Third Session of the Uganda-Russia Intergovernmental Commission and the forthcoming BRICS Summit.
Hon. Odongo reaffirmed Uganda’s readiness to host the Third Session of the Intergovernmental Commission, noting that a date would be communicated in due course.
He highlighted ongoing inter-sectoral consultations in Uganda aimed at reviewing past cooperation and identifying new areas of engagement. He further informed his counterpart that draft Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) had already been exchanged, with several cleared and ready for signature.
Minister Odongo expressed appreciation to the Russian Federation for the cordial and longstanding bilateral relations and proposed new avenues of cooperation, particularly in the health sector.
He specifically highlighted Uganda’s interest in mobile laboratories and regenerative medicine (including stem cell research and treatment). Additionally, he proposed the negotiation of an MoU on labour externalisation to facilitate the recruitment of skilled Ugandan professionals to Russia.
The Minister also requested Russian support for Uganda’s acquisition of property in Moscow to establish a permanent chancery for the Embassy of Uganda.
In response, Minister Lavrov commended the strong and growing partnership between Uganda and Russia. He recognised Uganda’s consistent engagement, including President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s personal attendance at the first and second Russia-Africa Summits.
He welcomed Uganda’s readiness to host the next Intergovernmental Commission session in Kampala and expressed optimism about the signing of outstanding MoUs. He also pledged to consider Uganda’s requests regarding the chancery and labour externalisation.
On multilateral cooperation, Hon. Odongo requested Russia’s support for Uganda’s bid to attain full membership in the BRICS grouping. Minister Lavrov welcomed Uganda as a BRICS Partner State and pledged support for the membership process. He also lauded Uganda’s constructive role in promoting regional peace and security and reiterated Russia’s support for Africa’s demand for reform of the United Nations Security Council.
Minister Lavrov further encouraged Uganda, in its capacity as Chair of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), to continue championing the interests of the Global South and to remain steadfast in the fight against neo-colonialism in all its forms.