Yesterday, at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs (MODVA) Headquarters in Mbuya, Maj Gen Jack Bakasumba, the Chief of Joint Staff, met with Col Nikolay Pavlov, the Military and Air Attaché to the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Uganda. The meeting, initiated by Col Nikolay Pavlov as a courtesy call, aimed to explore opportunities for enhancing cooperation between the two countries in the defence sector.
During the discussion, Maj Gen Bakasumba commended the longstanding and friendly relationship between Uganda and Russia, particularly in matters of security and defence. He highlighted the valuable contribution of Russia’s expertise in counterterrorism efforts, including the training of Ugandan military personnel. Maj Gen Bakasumba expressed Uganda’s commitment to strengthening this partnership and maximizing the benefits derived from it.
In response, Col Nikolay Pavlov affirmed Russia’s commitment to supporting Uganda in the defence sector. He emphasized Russia’s willingness to share its military expertise and resources with Uganda, highlighting the potential for collaboration in various areas of defence cooperation. Col Nikolay Pavlov expressed optimism about the prospects for deepening the relationship between the two countries and fostering mutual growth and development.
Accompanying Col Nikolay Pavlov in the meeting was Lt Col Eugene Shmelev, the Assistant Attaché. Lt Col Shmelev reiterated Russia’s eagerness to engage with Uganda in defence-related activities and underscored the importance of bilateral cooperation in addressing shared security challenges.
The meeting concluded with both parties expressing their readiness to further explore opportunities for collaboration and to work towards establishing a legal framework to formalize cooperation between Uganda and Russia in the defence sector. Maj Gen Bakasumba and Col Nikolay Pavlov reiterated their commitment to strengthening the ties between their respective countries and advancing mutual interests in security and defence.
