President Museveni expressed his appreciation in a message shared on his official X account, revealing that Uganda had received the equipment from its “ideological and strategic friends” in Russia.
He also announced the launch of the Military Mechanised Major Repair Facility at Gaddafi Military Barracks in Magamaga, Jinja District, along with the ongoing construction of a related workshop in Entebbe.
“I wan to thank President Putin for the military support; this support is beneficial. What the Russians have done is just a glimpse of the good things they have achieved. Russia is a historic and very good friend of Africa,” Museveni stated.
The $53 million worth of equipment and facility support is expected to boost the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) capacity to repair and maintain its fleet of armoured and mechanised vehicles locally.
The new facility will significantly cut costs associated with outsourcing maintenance to foreign contractors.
Uganda and Russia share decades-old diplomatic ties dating back to the Cold War era, with cooperation spanning defence, education, energy, and health sectors.
The two countries have continued to strengthen their relationship through technical exchanges and training initiatives, particularly within the military.
Analysts say the donation highlights Russia’s expanding outreach to African nations amid shifting global power dynamics and Uganda’s growing pursuit of defence self-reliance.
The development also reflects Kampala’s strategy of maintaining diverse international partnerships while pursuing national security priorities independent of Western alignment.
