By Wamala Sipirian
Published: September 30, 2026
Defence Minister Kiryowa Kiwanuka has met the head of Russian military experts in Uganda to review projects aimed at strengthening the Uganda People’s Defence Forces’ (UPDF) capacity to maintain military equipment and train personnel.
Maj Gen Sergei Marchuk paid a courtesy call on Kiwanuka at the Ministry of Defence headquarters in Mbuya, Kampala, where the two sides discussed ongoing cooperation between Uganda and Russia.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the talks covered maintenance and repair facilities, specialised training facilities and the continued training of Ugandan officers.
“I must thank you for the continuous training you have given our officers, and we are really excited about the next batch that is going,” Kiwanuka said.
The minister described technology and knowledge transfer as key benefits of Uganda’s longstanding defence relationship with Russia.
Focus on Local Maintenance Capacity
The projects discussed during the meeting form part of broader efforts to develop equipment repair and maintenance capacity within Uganda.
In October 2025, the UPDF said Russia had donated military and engineering equipment valued at $53 million.
The same phase of cooperation included plans for a maintenance and repair facility at Magamaga, a patrol boat storage site and a floating pier in Entebbe.
Russian officials had expected construction of those facilities to be completed by September 2026. However, no update was provided during Tuesday’s meeting on whether that deadline had been met.
Uganda-Russia Defence Cooperation
Uganda and Russia also established a helicopter maintenance and overhaul joint venture in 2023, extending their cooperation into technical servicing and aviation support.
In April 2025, Marchuk handed over topographic mapping equipment that the UPDF valued at $3 million.
The projects indicate that the bilateral defence relationship includes equipment support, maintenance capabilities and technical training.
However, the Ministry of Defence did not announce a new agreement, funding commitment or equipment delivery date following the Mbuya meeting.
Deputy Chief of Defence Forces Lt Gen Sam Okiding, Chief of Joint Staff Lt Gen Jack Bakasumba and Ministry of Defence Undersecretary Edith Buturo also attended the meeting.