Uganda has expressed interest in strengthening cooperation with Russia in the oil and gas sector, as Kampala looks to deepen international partnerships to support its energy development agenda.
The position was outlined by John Leonard Mugerwa, head of the International Legal and Social Affairs Department at Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in remarks to Russia’s TASS news agency during engagements in Moscow. Mugerwa said Uganda sees opportunities for collaboration with Russian companies, particularly in upstream exploration, production, and technical capacity-building.
Uganda is preparing to become an oil-producing nation following the discovery of commercially viable crude reserves in the Albertine Graben region. Major infrastructure projects, including the East African Crude Oil Pipeline and associated refinery developments, are central to the country’s long-term economic strategy. As these projects advance, the government has been seeking diversified international expertise and investment to support production, processing, and value addition.
Mugerwa noted that Russia’s experience in oil and gas exploration, production technology, and energy services makes it a potentially valuable partner for Uganda as it develops its petroleum sector. Cooperation could also extend to skills transfer, training, and legal frameworks governing the energy industry.
The renewed interest in energy cooperation comes amid broader efforts by Uganda to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties with non-traditional partners. Kampala has in recent years expanded engagement with countries across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East as it seeks to balance foreign investment sources and reduce overreliance on a narrow group of partners.
Ugandan officials have emphasized that any cooperation in the oil and gas sector will align with national development priorities, environmental safeguards, and local content policies aimed at ensuring that petroleum resources contribute meaningfully to economic growth and job creation.
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