Reasons Behind Museveni’s Decision to Bring Son, Gen Muhoozi, on Russia and Serbia Trip

Written by on July 26, 2023

President Museveni has embarked on a trip to Russia, accompanied by his son, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, to attend the second Africa-Russia summit in St. Petersburg on July 27 and 28. Gen Muhoozi, also the Senior Presidential Advisor on Special Operations, has drawn attention due to his presence on this diplomatic mission, with some speculating it is part of a broader strategy by President Museveni to introduce his son to the international diplomatic community and establish potential allies for his political future.

 

General Muhoozi

Gen Muhoozi’s interest in Russia became evident when he publicly expressed support for the country during the Russia-Ukraine conflict, pledging to send troops to Moscow to defend President Vladimir Putin against imperial threats. In a recent meeting with the Russian Ambassador to Uganda, matters of strong bilateral relations and military-technical cooperation between Uganda and Russia were discussed.

 

Following the summit in Russia, President Museveni will head to Serbia to launch “Uganda Connect,” an experiential trade, tourism, and investment hub in Belgrade. The President is also expected to invite the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, to attend the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) conference scheduled for January the following year. This is a notable initiative, considering Serbia’s historical role in founding and operating NAM alongside other countries like Ghana, India, Egypt, and Indonesia.

 

Uganda faces regional security challenges, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) due to the presence of ADF forces in the Eastern DRC. To address these concerns, Uganda’s Ministry of Defense has indicated constraints in accessing arms. President Museveni may leverage his presence in Serbia to negotiate for arms, given NATO’s full booking of arms factories in Europe to support Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict with Russia. This emphasizes the importance of diplomatic efforts to secure necessary weaponry, considering Uganda’s location amidst regional security complexities, including uncertainties in Somalia with the drawdown of troops from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).

In summary, President Museveni’s trip to Russia, accompanied by his son Gen Muhoozi, signifies efforts to strengthen ties with Russia and explore opportunities for cooperation. The subsequent visit to Serbia aims to foster trade and investment relations, with the President also extending an invitation for Serbia’s participation in the NAM conference. Additionally, addressing Uganda’s security challenges highlights the need for diplomatic approaches to acquire resources, including arms, to ensure regional stability and security effectively.


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