Uganda will host high-level economic and scientific cooperation talks with Russia next week as the two countries seek to strengthen their long-standing partnership and open new areas of trade and investment.
The Third Uganda–Russia Intergovernmental Commission on Economic, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation will take place from October 7–8 at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala. Delegates from both governments, private sector leaders, and technical experts are expected to begin arriving on October 5, 2025.
The meeting will review progress since the second session held in Moscow in 2018, and finalize more than 20 pending Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) covering areas such as science, energy, agriculture, and trade.
Uganda’s Ambassador to Russia, Moses Kizige, said during a joint media briefing with Russian Ambassador Vladlen Semivolos that the talks are part of a continuous effort to boost collaboration between the two nations, whose diplomatic relations date back to 1962, shortly after Uganda gained independence.
“We need to move faster in implementing the MoUs we have already signed so that both sides can benefit,” said Kizige. “Our partnership with Russia continues to grow, especially in science, education, and energy development.”
Kizige noted that Russia, now the world’s fourth-largest economy, has become a promising market for Ugandan exports such as coffee, tea, and minerals, while Uganda is positioning itself as a destination for Russian investors and tourists.
To encourage business collaboration, a Uganda–Russia Business Conference and Exhibition will be held alongside the main meeting, organized in partnership with the Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development (PACEID).
“We are encouraging Russian investors to come and explore Uganda’s opportunities,” Kizige added. “This is why we’re organizing a business forum that brings together the public and private sectors.”
He also revealed that Uganda is currently processing 23 new MoUs in addition to those being reviewed at the meeting. The country officially joined the BRICS economic bloc on January 1, 2025, which includes Russia,
China, Brazil, India, and South Africa — a move expected to expand Uganda’s global trade partnerships.
Ambassador Semivolos praised Uganda for hosting the event, describing it as a sign of mutual respect and growing friendship between the two nations.
He said several MoUs have already been signed in the areas of health, agriculture, and education, and that Russia is ready to increase cooperation in energy, machinery, and infrastructure development.
“Russian companies are interested in investing in Uganda and supplying modern agricultural equipment and technology,” Semivolos said. “We are also planning to establish a base in Uganda to support the supply and maintenance of machinery for infrastructure projects.”
The two-day Business Forum will include plenary discussions, business-to-business meetings, and product exhibitions. Ugandan entrepreneurs will get a chance to meet potential Russian investors and explore joint ventures in manufacturing, energy, and tourism.
The event is also expected to attract participants from government agencies, financial institutions, and the private sector who are keen to tap into Russia’s expanding markets and technological expertise.
Uganda and Russia have cooperated in several areas over the decades, including education, where hundreds of Ugandan students have received scholarships to study in Russian universities.
The two countries have also partnered in energy exploration, nuclear research, and healthcare technology.
Officials say the upcoming meeting will be key in translating past agreements into concrete projects that can create jobs and drive industrialization in Uganda.
“Our goal is to turn friendship into practical results,” said Ambassador Kizige. “This partnership is about shared growth and long-term cooperation.”
