PRESIDENT MUSEVENI COMMISSIONS $53M MILITARY FACILITY, DEEPENS UGANDA-RUSSIA DEFENCE COOPERATION

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has commissioned military facilities and equipment developed under Uganda’s defence cooperation with Russia, highlighting the government’s commitment to strengthening national security, modernising the armed forces and expanding technical capabilities.

The activities, held on October 21 and 22, 2026, involved a Russian delegation led by Lieutenant General Aleksandr Kshimovskii and covered military training, marine security, modern warfare technology and equipment maintenance.

President Museveni, who is also Commander-in-Chief of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), began the programme at the Mechanised Warfare College in Kalama, Mubende District, before commissioning marine security infrastructure in Entebbe on October 21.

On October 22, he visited the 154 Marine Battalion School at Kalangalo before concluding the programme at Magamaga Cantonment in Jinja District, where he commissioned a mechanised major repair facility valued at $53 million.

At Kalama, President Museveni launched a digital multimedia training classroom designed to prepare military crews to operate BRDM-2MS armoured reconnaissance vehicles before undertaking practical training.

In Entebbe, he commissioned marine operational assets and supporting infrastructure, including surveillance radar, eight boats, a floating dock, protective barriers, marine workshops, firefighting equipment, specialised vehicles, a field ambulance and training facilities.

At Kalangalo, the President urged the armed forces to embrace artificial intelligence, automation and other technological advances to improve their response to emerging security threats. “Advance on the issue of technology, embrace new technology, more automation, more AI, more range because we need to upgrade it overall,” he said.

At Magamaga, the $53 million facility, donated by the Russian government under the bilateral defence cooperation framework, is expected to strengthen the UPDF’s capacity to maintain and repair military vehicles and other equipment.

President Museveni thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin and the delegation for their contribution, noting that the assistance covered several military installations and training facilities across the country.

He also called for technology transfer and greater local participation in military equipment production, arguing that Uganda should develop the expertise to maintain and eventually manufacture some of the equipment it uses. “We should not only get the good equipment but also learn from them,” he said.

The President further proposed exploring local production in partnership with Russian technical experts, suggesting that such cooperation could support domestic industrial development and build Uganda’s technical capacity. Government Commends Bilateral Partnership

The Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Hon. Kiryowa Kiwanuka, commended President Museveni for strengthening relations with Russia and thanked Russian technical experts for supporting the development and equipping of the military facilities.

He said continued engagement between the two countries had sustained cordial diplomatic relations and created opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation, particularly in defence and military technical assistance.

The Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs and UPDF leadership pledged to ensure the facilities were properly utilised and maintained. Russia Reaffirms Cooperation Lieutenant General Kshimovskii reaffirmed Russia’s commitment to continued military technical cooperation with Uganda. “We shall continue to develop mutual cooperation between Uganda and Russia. Russia is ready to supply the necessary equipment,” he said.

The programme underscored the breadth of Uganda-Russia defence relations, spanning military training, marine security, technology and equipment maintenance.

The events were attended by UPDF commanders, junior officers, representatives of sister security agencies and local leaders.