Musinguz Robs

One of the key highlights of the just concluded 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum in New Delhi was my meeting with the Russian State Duma delegation. In a move to further our Parliamentary Diplomacy doctrine, I invited my Russian counterpart and his delegation to Kampala. They invited me to Moscow in return. I told the delegation that Uganda and Russia enjoy a deep historical relationship that our Parliaments should leverage. I noted that, to my knowledge, no Russian Speaker has ever led a delegation to Uganda, and the first to do so will make headlines. There is a lot their Parliament can learn from us, and a lot we can learn from them. I welcome the Duma’s plan for a group of deputies dedicated to Uganda. Trade between us remains small: in 2024 we imported $190.69m, mostly wheat, and exported $39.30m, mainly coffee. We must close that gap. I was joined by Leader of the Opposition Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi, Hon. Annet Katusiime Mugisha, Hon. Sowedi Ismail Mulemya, Hon. Betty Mpongo Nakisita and High Commissioner Prof. Joyce Kikafunda. #BRICSIndia2026 #ParliamentaryDiplomacy

A Sino-Ugandan Friendship Forged in 1962, Renewed in New Delhi, India! During the just-concluded 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum in New Delhi, I held bilateral talks with H.E. Zheng Jianbang, Vice Chairperson of the Standing Committee of China’s National People’s Congress. Uganda and China have been friends since 18 October 1962, and I was pleased to build on these cordial ties. I invited the Chinese delegation to visit Uganda, and Vice Chairperson Zheng kindly accepted and invited me to China in return. China’s Parliament has a unique model that we in Uganda can learn from. This meeting was part of the deliberate parliamentary diplomacy we are pursuing in this term. It supplements the work of our Government and our missions abroad, giving Uganda another channel to build trust, open markets and follow up on agreements. China’s decision to open its market to African products without tariffs gives our farmers and manufacturers an opportunity. I hope to see more Ugandan coffee, fish and processed goods reach Chinese consumers. Exchanges of Members of Parliament and staff can bring our two peoples closer. I thank Vice Chairperson Zheng for a warm and constructive meeting. I was accompanied by the Leader of the Opposition, Hon Joel Ssenyonyi, Hon Betty Nakisita Mpongo, Hon Sowedi Ismail Mulemya and Hon Annet Katusiime Mugisha.