Vice President Alupo meets Russian parliament  speaker

MOSCOW - Vice President Jessica Alupo has said the growing Uganda-Russia ties are built on the foundation of common values and mutual benefits for the people of both countries.

Alupo said this on Tuesday (June 10) while meeting Valentina Matviyenko, Chairperson of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, also known as the Upper Russian Parliament.

Alupo led a delegation of Ugandan government officials, including Jeje Odongo, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maj. Gen.(Rtd) Jim Katugugu Muhwezi, Minister of Security, and Rose Lilly Akello, Minister of State for Ethics and Integrity, to the meeting. 

Chairman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation H.E. Valentina Matvienko during the bilateral meeting with Uganda's Vice President Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Rose Alupo in Moscow, Russia, on June 17 2025. (Courtesy photo)

"My visit to Russia is therefore yet another chapter and a testimony to our ever-growing relationship," Alupo said.

"Uganda is preparing to host the 3rd Session of the Inter-Governmental Commission, and we hope that much more progress will be made in expanding our cooperation and identifying new areas where our two countries will further cement our relations," she added.

The Vice President said Matviyenko's performance even in previous offices, including being the First Woman Mayor of St. Petersburg is an inspiration, especially to other women leaders and an example that women are great performers.

Uganda's Vice President Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Alupo during the bilateral meeting with Chairman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation H.E. Mrs. Valentina Matvienko in Moscow, Russia, on June 17 2025. (Courtesy photo)

Alupo said she was looking forward to addressing the Federation Council on Wednesday. 

Matviyenko said Uganda is one of the key Russian partners in Africa, noting that the multifaceted relationship between the two countries is time-tested.

Uganda's Vice President Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Rose Alupo (blue coat) speaking during the bilateral meeting with Chairman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation H.E. Mrs. Valentina Matvienko (in white coat) in Moscow, Russia, on June 17 2025.

She hailed Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni for attending the first and second Russia-Africa summits, a sign of the strong ties between the two countries.

Matviyenko said Alupo's rise through the ranks to the level of Vice President is an inspiration to many women.

Uganda delegation (in blue, Uganda's Vice President Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Alupo, Head of the delegation) and Russian officials (in white, Chairman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation H.E. Mrs. Valentina Matvienko ) after a bilateral meeting in Moscow, Russia, on June 17 2025.

Russia-Uganda relations date back to 1962 when Uganda attained independence from British colonial rule. As soon as Uganda attained independence, Russia was among the first countries to open an embassy in the country.

Since then, the two countries have cooperated in health, investment, education, military and technology transfer.