In a move underscoring deepening ties between Russia and Uganda, Moscow has donated $100mn to the Ugandan military, equivalent to nearly 10% of the East African country’s defence budget, the Africa Report writes.

This donation to the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) highlights Russia's growing push for influence in the region and the strengthening of strategic bilateral relations as the latter country’s military chief, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, continues to build rapport with Russian leaders.

Kainerugaba is the son of President Yoweri Museveni, who turns 80 in September, and is widely considered the heir apparent to the Ugandan head of state, who has been in power for decades.

The $100mn donation, announced shortly after a meeting between Kainerugaba and a Russian defence delegation on August 22, comes amid a broader effort by Russia to enhance its military and diplomatic footprint in Uganda, Kampala Dispatch reported on August 25.

“The donation for Uganda stands out… because it is a large one,” Ivan Kłyszcz, a researcher at the International Centre for Defence and Security said, is quoted by the Africa Report as saying. “Other similar donations would not have the value disclosed or would be smaller.”

Kłyszcz also noted that such substantial contributions are part of Russia’s strategy to gain influence in Uganda’s defence sector. Kainerugaba, who heads Uganda’s military, has played a pivotal role in fostering closer ties with Russia.

On August 23, the day following the Russian delegation’s visit, the Ugandan army confirmed receipt of the donation. When asked about the specifics of how the funds would be utilised, Brig. Felix Kulayigye, the army spokesperson, stated that this information was not “for public consumption”, according to the Africa Report.

The donation follows a history of Russian-Ugandan collaboration, including the establishment of a fighter jet maintenance facility in Nakasongola, inaugurated by Museveni in 2022.

Sergey Lavrov, Russia’s foreign affairs minister has expressed Moscow’s intention to further develop this facility into a regional hub for military maintenance. Lavrov highlighted the “longstanding” military and technical cooperation between the two countries.

The strategic nature of this relationship was further evident during the Russia-Africa Summit in St. Petersburg in July 2023, where discussions on the donation took place. Kainerugaba, then a presidential adviser on special operations, was involved in key bilateral meetings.

The admiration for Putin expressed by the Ugandan president Muhoozi’s son, and his role in enhancing military cooperation, are clear, as evidenced by his previous offer to send Ugandan troops to support Russia in its conflict with Ukraine, Africa News reported on March 31, 2023.

In addition to military aid, Uganda has shown a growing interest in Russian technology and expertise. Recently, a controversial Russian firm was awarded a contract to install surveillance chips in Ugandan vehicles, a move criticised for lacking transparency and placing a financial burden on motorists.

This $100mn donation and ongoing collaboration between Russia and Uganda underscore the strategic importance of this relationship for both countries. For Uganda, the funds and support align with its broader defence and diplomatic goals; for Russia, it represents a key component of a broader strategy to expand its influence in Africa.