Russia welcomes African state as new BRICS partner

Sergey Lavrov discussed joint initiatives in trade, energy, agriculture, science and healthcare with his Ugandan counterpart Jeje Odongo

Russia welcomes Uganda as a BRICS partner country, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Wednesday during talks with his Ugandan counterpart, Jeje Odongo, in Moscow. 

Lavrov added that Moscow looks forward to engaging with Kampala within the framework of BRICS. “We welcome Uganda as a BRICS partner country ... We look forward to active cooperation with our Ugandan friends in this new format,” Lavrov said.  

BRICS was established in 2009 by Brazil, Russia, India, and China, with South Africa joining two years later. In 2024, the bloc extended full membership to Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, and, later, Indonesia. Nigeria and Uganda became BRICS partner states in January 2025, along with seven other countries outside Africa. 

The ministers discussed a broad range of issues related to bilateral cooperation. Particular emphasis was placed on trade, investment, energy, agriculture, science, high technology and healthcare. Both sides reaffirmed their intention to deepen political dialogue, grounded in international law and the principles of the UN Charter.

Read more

During the meeting, Odongo requested Russia’s support “to secure land or property in Moscow to establish a permanent chancery.” 

Uganda’s top diplomat was part of a high-level delegation led by Vice President Jessica Alupo, who also held talks with Russian Federation Council Chairperson Valentina Matviyenko.  

Matviyenko described Uganda as one of “Russia’s key partners on the African continent.” She noted that the partnership reflects a shared commitment to advancing mutually beneficial cooperation across diverse sectors. 

“Russia’s historical friendship, founded on mutual respect, trust, and solidarity, contributed to the liberation of African countries,” Alupo noted. 

READ MORE: BRICS is a key platform for the global majority – Lavrov

On Tuesday, the Ugandan vice president met with Russia’s special presidential envoy for the Middle East and Africa, Mikhail Bogdanov. The talks focused on expanding bilateral cooperation ahead of the upcoming session of the Intergovernmental Russian-Ugandan Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry. 

Alupo visited Russia in September to participate in the 2024 Eurasian Women’s Forum (EAWF) held in St. Petersburg.