Uganda considers five-year Russian-language training deal as Museveni deepens military ties with Moscow

Uganda is considering a five-year agreement with Russia to continue Russian-language training for its military personnel, as President Yoweri Museveni moves to deepen defence cooperation with Moscow through military infrastructure, equipment support and personnel development.

• Uganda is considering a five-year agreement to continue Russian-language training for its military personnel, with the proposal presented by Russian military officials.
• The arrangement would extend the current training program rather than create a new mission, with classes resuming from December 2026 if agreed.
• Recent Russian-supported military infrastructure projects in Uganda have been completed, including equipment parks, maintenance centers, and rapid-response facilities.
• President Museveni described Uganda’s cooperation with Russia as historic, dating back to the Bolshevik Revolution, and expressed gratitude for ongoing military support.

The proposal was presented by Major General Sergei Marchuk, head of Russian military experts in Uganda, during a meeting with Museveni at State House in Entebbe on October 9, according to Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC).

According to Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC), Marchuk proposed resuming Russian-language training from December 1, 2026, under a supplementary agreement involving five instructors. Museveni welcomed the proposal.

Maj. Gen. Sergei Marchuk said Moscow had maintained its military support for the country since independence.

Marchuk thanked President Yoweri Museveni for receiving the Russian delegation on Uganda’s Independence Day.

“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,” Marchuk said.

The arrangement would extend an existing training programme, rather than establish a new military training mission. In September, the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) held a graduation ceremony for personnel who had completed a Russian-language course, underscoring the ongoing military education links between the two countries.

Russia expands its military support infrastructure in Uganda

During the October 9 meeting, Marchuk said Russian-supported military infrastructure projects promised during an earlier meeting with Museveni had been completed.

These included a park for arms and military equipment at Magamaga, a watercraft maintenance and repair centre in Entebbe, and facilities supporting rapid-response units.

Russia also provided a floating berth and technical equipment for marine security operations at Port Alice, Kalangala, while a mobile command post was installed at the Marines School there.

At the Mechanised Warfare College in Karama, Russian specialists established a multimedia classroom for crews operating BRDM-2M armoured reconnaissance vehicles, UBC reported.

Military Africa reported that, as of 2025, the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) had received engineering and naval equipment worth approximately $53 million (184 billion Ugandan shillings) from Russia.

Museveni thanked Russia for its military assistance and described the relationship as historic, saying it dated back to the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution. He pledged to write formally to Russian President Vladimir Putin to express his gratitude.

President Yoweri Museveni described Uganda’s relationship with 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,” Museveni said.

The proposed language-training agreement comes as Russia maintains military and security relationships with several African governments. For Uganda, Russian-language skills can support personnel development and future military assignments involving Russian equipment and cooperation.