Uganda's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gen Jeje Odongo, met with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, in Moscow. The two ministers discussed bilateral and international matters, including the upcoming Uganda-Russia intergovernmental Commission and the BRICS Summit.
During the meeting, Minister Odongo sought Russia's backing for Uganda to achieve full BRICS membership. Minister Lavrov welcomed Uganda to the BRICS as a Partner State and promised to support its journey to full membership.
Lavrov congratulated Uganda on its role in maintaining regional peace and security. He further expressed his support for Africa on UN Security Council Reforms, encouraging Uganda and the entire continent "to fight neocolonialism in all its forms."
He urged Uganda to use its chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement to advance the interests of the Global South.
Gen Jeje Odongo is part of the Ugandan delegation accompanying Vice President Jessica Alupo on her official visit to Russia.
Regarding the third session of the Russia-Uganda Intergovernmental Commission, Odongo confirmed Uganda's readiness to host the meeting.
He added that a date for the session will be communicated soon and that arrangements are ongoing in the different sectors in Uganda, including reviewing previous areas of cooperation and identifying new areas.
He assured Lavrov that "draft Memoranda of Understanding have been exchanged with several already cleared for final signature."
Gen Odongo also proposed new areas of cooperation in health, specifically provision of mobile laboratories as well as in regenerative medicine (stem cell research and treatment). He additionally requested negotiation and conclusion of a Memorandum of Understanding on Labour Externalization in respect of Skilled Labour from Uganda.
Furthermore, he asked for Russia's help for Uganda to acquire property or land in Moscow to establish a Permanent Chancery.
Minister Lavrov commended the bilateral relations between Russia and Uganda. He thanked Uganda for its commitment to friendship with Russia, demonstrated by President Museveni's attendance of the 1st and 2nd Russia-Africa summits in person, and confirmed that Russia looked forward to the forthcoming 3rd session of the Inter-Governmental Commission to be held in Kampala.
He expressed optimism for the signing of the pending MoUs and pledged to consider Uganda's request for acquiring a permanent Chancery in Moscow, as well as the request for externalisation of labour for skilled workers from Uganda.