President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has expressed deep gratitude to the government of the Russian Federation for donating military equipment worth $53 million, describing the gesture as a sign of enduring friendship and strategic cooperation between the two nations.
Speaking during the launch of the Military Mechanised Major Repair Facility at Gaddafi Military Barracks, Magamaga, and a separate workshop under construction in Entebbe, Museveni said the support from Moscow represents a significant boost to Uganda’s defense capabilities and self-reliance agenda.
“I want to thank President Putin for the military support; this support is beneficial,” Museveni said. “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.”
The donation, which includes modern maintenance and repair equipment, aims to strengthen Uganda’s military logistics and enhance the operational efficiency of its mechanized units. According to security officials, the new facility will enable the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) to repair, upgrade, and maintain armored vehicles locally, reducing the country’s dependency on foreign contractors.
The President emphasized that the facility is part of a broader effort to industrialize Uganda’s defense sector through technology transfer and training. “We are not just receiving donations; we are building capacity,” Museveni noted. “Our soldiers and engineers must learn how to produce, maintain, and innovate.”
Museveni also lauded the longstanding Uganda–Russia relationship, which dates back to the early years of Uganda’s independence. He highlighted Russia’s role in supporting Africa’s liberation movements and its continued partnership in areas such as education, energy, and defense.
Military analysts say the Russian donation comes at a time when global geopolitical dynamics are shifting, with Moscow strengthening its ties with African nations through defense, trade, and technical cooperation.
For Uganda, the new repair facility at Magamaga is expected to play a key role in sustaining military readiness and advancing Museveni’s vision of a self-sufficient defense force capable of supporting peacekeeping operations both at home and across the region.
As the sun set over the Gaddafi Barracks after the launch, Museveni reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to deepening relations with Russia, describing the partnership as “a friendship built on mutual respect, shared interests, and historical solidarity.”
