MOSCOW, RUSSIA: Uganda’s Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, Hon. Eng. Jonard Asiimwe Akiiki, is in Moscow for engagements surrounding the Third Russia–Africa Summit, as Uganda seeks to strengthen scientific cooperation, technology transfer and industrial partnerships with the Russian Federation.
The summit, taking place from October 28–29, 2026, brings together African and Russian leaders to discuss cooperation in trade, investment, education, energy, scientific research and technological development.
Uganda’s delegation is led by Vice President H.E. Jessica Alupo, representing President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, as the country pursues partnerships aimed at strengthening industrial productivity and supporting its Ten-Fold Growth Strategy.
The Minister’s arrival in Moscow comes just weeks after his engagements in St. Petersburg, Russia, where he participated in the Second Russian–African Raw Materials Dialogue and held discussions with Russian government officials, universities and scientific institutions on engineering, mineral processing, technology transfer and industrial development.
During the St. Petersburg engagements, Minister Jonard advocated for Africa to move beyond exporting raw materials and instead develop the scientific and technological capacity to manufacture finished products (Value Addition).
He also engaged Empress Catherine II Mining University and ITMO University, exploring opportunities for specialised training, research collaboration, cybersecurity, engineering innovation and the commercialisation of technologies relevant to Uganda’s industrial transformation.
His engagements further highlighted the importance of equipping Ugandan scientists, engineers and young innovators with practical skills to transform the country’s mineral and agricultural resources into competitive products.
Meanwhile, Uganda and Russia have been exploring more than ten proposed memoranda of understanding covering areas including education, food security, science and technology, oil and gas, and nuclear energy.
Uganda’s Ambassador to Russia, H.E. Moses Kizige, previously highlighted the ongoing efforts to expand bilateral cooperation across these strategic sectors.
For Uganda, the engagements present opportunities to strengthen domestic manufacturing, accelerate research commercialisation, promote technology-driven enterprises and reduce dependence on imported industrial products.
The latest Moscow visit also builds on Uganda’s wider scientific diplomacy agenda, which seeks to connect international research institutions, universities and technology developers with local industries and innovators.
Through such cooperation, the Ministry for Science, Technology and Innovation – Office of the President seeks to advance the translation of scientific knowledge into commercially viable products, productive enterprises and employment opportunities.
As Uganda pursues its ambition of building a US$500 billion economy by 2040, partnerships in engineering, industrial processing and advanced technologies remain important areas for supporting domestic productivity, value addition and export competitiveness.
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