President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has commended Russia for its continued military support to Uganda, reaffirming the longstanding friendship and defence cooperation between the two countries.
The President made the remarks today while meeting a Russian delegation led by the Head of Russian Military Experts in Uganda, Maj. Gen. Sergei Marchuk, at State House, Entebbe, on the sidelines of Uganda’s 64th Independence Day celebrations.
President Museveni described the relationship between Uganda and Russia as historic, tracing its roots to the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution.
“This cooperation and friendship between Uganda and Russia is historical. It started in 1917 with the Bolsheviks,” President Museveni said.
He thanked Russia for its consistent support, particularly to the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), citing military-related projects and facilities in Magamaga, Entebbe, Kalangala and Karama.
“Thank you for your military support in Magamaga, Entebbe, Kalangala, and Karama,” he said.
He said the contribution is strengthening Uganda’s military capabilities, pledging to formally convey his gratitude to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“I shall also write officially to President Vladimir Putin thanking him,” he said.
On his part, Maj. Gen. Marchuk said Russia had maintained its support for Uganda since the country attained independence, thanking President Museveni for receiving the delegation on the occasion of the national celebrations.
“Russia has supported Uganda since its independence. We are grateful to the President for receiving us on Independence Day, such a special day, and wish Your Excellency a happy and long life,” Maj. Gen. Marchuk said.
He noted that the Russian team had fulfilled commitments made during a previous meeting with the President a year earlier, particularly regarding the completion of military infrastructure projects.
“We were received by the President in this same period last year, and we promised to complete all the construction. We have done our mission with great pleasure and honour,” he said.
Maj. Gen. Marchuk highlighted several projects completed with Russian support to strengthen Uganda’s military infrastructure and operational capabilities.
He cited the construction of a park for arms and military equipment at Magamaga, as well as a maintenance and repair centre for watercraft and a station for quick-response duty units in Entebbe.
He also said the Russian team had equipped the Marines pier at Port Alice with a floating berth and technical equipment for security operations, alongside the deployment of a mobile command post at the Marines School in Kalangala.
At the Mechanised Warfare College in Karama, the team established a multimedia classroom for crews operating BRDM-2M armoured reconnaissance vehicles.
The projects, he said, formed part of Russia’s continued contribution to Uganda’s military infrastructure, equipment maintenance and personnel support.
Looking ahead, Maj. Gen. Marchuk proposed extending Russian language training for Ugandan personnel, beginning December 1, 2026.
“We propose to continue Russian language training from 1 December 2026 and to sign a supplementary agreement for five years with five instructors,” he said.
President Museveni welcomed the proposal and pledged to sustain cooperation between Uganda and Russia, reinforcing the longstanding bilateral relationship.
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