Museveni commissions $53m Russian-backed military facilities, urges UPDF to embrace AI
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has commissioned $53 million in new military facilities and training infrastructure developed in cooperation with Russia. The initiative includes marine training schools and mechanized repair facilities, with a focus on integrating modern technology into the national defense strategy.
Why it matters
Highlights shifting geopolitical alliances and the modernization of military capabilities in East Africa through Russian defense partnerships.
President Museveni inspects Kalangalo Marine Training school - Kasanje facilities before the commissioning. PHOTO/ PPU
President Museveni has commissioned and launched a series of state-of-the-art military facilities, equipment, and training infrastructure under Uganda’s expanding defence cooperation with Russia, following an intensive two-day engagement with a high-level Russian military delegation.
The delegation, led by Lt. Gen. Aleksandr Kshimovskii, held engagements with Ugandan officials on October 21 and 22, 2026, focusing on military training, marine security, modern warfare technology, and heavy equipment maintenance to bolster the operational capabilities of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).
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