Museveni asks Putin to open Russian market to Ugandan, African goods

What the report says

Uganda President Yoweri Museveni has asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to widen access to the Russian market for Ugandan and other African exports, with textiles, coffee, fruit, fish, leather, cereals and vegetable oil among the products named in his appeal. The request was delivered by Vice President Jessica Alupo, who represented Museveni at the third Russia-Africa Summit, according to The Observer.

Museveni framed the appeal as part of a broader push to deepen economic cooperation between Russia and African countries. He said better market access would help African producers and support trade ties, while also encouraging Russian investors to consider opportunities in infrastructure, energy and other productive sectors.

In his remarks, Museveni pointed to the East African Community as a regional market of about 331 million people and said it has helped domestic industries grow beyond limited home demand. He also linked that bloc to the wider African Continental Free Trade Area, which he described as a much larger future market. He urged Russian participation in projects such as railways, water transport and power generation, including hydro, solar, gas and nuclear energy.

The report also said Museveni used the summit to acknowledge the Soviet Union’s past support for African liberation movements and development projects. He cited historical examples of cooperation, including the Aswan High Dam in Egypt and Busitema University in Uganda, as part of his broader message that Russia can play a larger role in Africa’s economic and infrastructure development.