Russia has completed a $53 million military assistance programme in Uganda, four years after supplying the East African country with six Mi-28 attack helicopters, despite reports of military equipment shortages caused by its ongoing war in Ukraine.
- Russia sold six Mi-28 attack helicopters to Uganda and provided a $53 million military support package, despite its ongoing war in Ukraine.
- Uganda's arsenal heavily relies on Russian-made equipment, including helicopters, fighter jets, tanks, and portable air defence systems.
- While some African nations like Mali host Russian personnel, Uganda maintains its defence relationship with Moscow through arms purchases and technical cooperation only.
- President Museveni expressed interest in developing local military manufacturing capabilities with Russian assistance.
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, who has been in power since 1986, commissioned the Russian-funded facilities on October 21 and 22, 2026, during a visit by a delegation led by Lieutenant General Aleksandr Kshimovskii, a senior Russian defence official.
The projects, first announced in October 2025, cover equipment maintenance, marine security and military training, building on years of defence cooperation between Kampala and Moscow.
Russia delivered at least six Mi-28N attack helicopters to Uganda in 2022, with the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) confirming in March 2023 that 12 pilots and 52 engineers had completed an eight-month training course at Soroti Air Force Wing.
Ukrainian defence publication Defense Express cited the deliveries as evidence of Moscow's continued military exports to African countries despite the demands of its war in Ukraine.
Russia's $53 million military investment in Uganda
The assistance package includes a maintenance and technical support facility at Magamaga Cantonment in Jinja District, where Uganda previously assembled South African-designed Nyoka 4x4 armoured vehicles.
Other installations include marine security facilities at the UPDF's 15 Marine Brigade base in Entebbe, featuring surveillance radar, eight boats, a floating dock and workshops, alongside a training facility for the BRDM-2MS armoured reconnaissance vehicle.
Museveni inaugurated the Magamaga mechanised repair facility on October 22 to improve the military's ability to service vehicles and heavy equipment locally.
"First of all, I really want to thank His Excellency President Putin and the Russian delegation for this gift of $53 million worth of equipment," Museveni said.
Uganda's extensive Russian-made military arsenal
Uganda is a longstanding customer of Russia's defence industry, with its military operating a substantial inventory of Soviet- and Russian-manufactured equipment.
According to The Military Balance 2022, Uganda purchased six Su-30MK2 fighter jets and 44 T-90S tanks from Moscow.
Its air force also operates six Mi-28 attack helicopters, five Mi-24 helicopters and six Mi-17 transport helicopters, with more than four older MiG-21 aircraft listed as being in storage.
Defence inventory estimates also identify 50 T-72 variants, 185 older T-54 and T-55 tanks, 20 PT-76 amphibious tanks, 37 BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles and 15 BTR-60 armoured personnel carriers.
Russia's expanding military relationships across Africa
Uganda joins Algeria among Africa's few operators of Russia's Mi-28 attack helicopters, with the North African country having acquired 42 Mi-28NE Night Hunter aircraft between 2016 and 2020 under a wider helicopter deal estimated at $2.7 billion.
Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger also operate Russian-made attack helicopters, including Mi-24 and Mi-35 variants, reflecting Moscow's presence in Africa's military aviation market.
Unlike these countries, Uganda's defence ties with Russia centre on arms purchases, military training and technical assistance, without the deployment of Russian combat forces or Africa Corps units.