President Yoweri Museveni has on Tuesday, October 22 left for the Russian Coastal city of Sochi to attend the Russia-Africa summit.
Mr. Museveni will join other 36 heads of State and governments for the Russia-Africa Summit and Economic Forum that opens on Wednesday, October 23 at the Sirius Park of Science and Art in Sochi, one of Russias largest convention venues.
Mr. Museveni who is accompanied by his daughter Diana Kamuntu Museveni was seen off on Tuesday morning on departure at the VVIP lounge, Entebbe International Airport by the Minister for Presidency Esther Mbayo.
Other include the Head of Civil Service John Mitala, the Commander Air Forces Major General James Lutaaya, the A.I.G.P Andrew Sorowen and the Commissioner for Uganda Prisons Johnson Byabasheija.
The Russia–Africa Summit is the first of its kind in the history of Russian-African relations and will be co-chaired by Russian president Vladimir Putin, and Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi, who is also Chairman of the African Union (AU).
The Summit will focus particularly on the actual and potential relations between Russia and African Nations, Development of constructive interaction in the political, economic, humanitarian, and cultural fields among others with an emphasis on finding ways to accelerate and develop the entire range of Russian-African cooperation in a systematic way.
The Economic Forum will also be attended by African Heads of State, Representatives of Russian, African, and International business and Government Agencies, and representatives of African integration associations.
The Forum will be a strategically important step towards creating favourable conditions for the development of trade and economic relations between Russia and Africa and will also diversify the forms and areas of Russian-African cooperation.
The Programme for the Economic Forum will include a plenary session and a series of roundtables and panel discussions. Participants will discuss the following topics: The role of Russia’s agenda in Africa , Africa’s role in the international financial system, expanding cooperation, export and investment, as well as security challenges.
A significant set of trade, economic, and investment agreements is expected to be signed following the conclusion of the Forum.
Last week, Mr. Patrick Mugoya, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs during a meeting with Mr. Alexander Polyakov, the Russian ambassador to Uganda revealed that President Museveni and Mr. Putin will use this opportunity to have constructive engagements to explore ways strengthening Bilateral cooperation between Uganda and Russia.
It is also speculated both leaders will conclude with the signing of a number of Memoranda of Understanding (MoU’s) specifically in key sectors of Health, nuclear energy, oil and gas, Education and Agriculture
