‘Russia Will Always Defend Truth and Justice,’ Says Amb. Semivolos at Great Patriotic War Commemoration

By Alex Masereka Joel

The Embassy of the Russian Federation in Uganda hosted a solemn and dignified reception on Tuesday to mark the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War (1941–1945) — a commemoration of the Soviet Union’s triumph over Nazi Germany in World War II.

Tuesday’s event, held at the ambassador’s residence in Kampala, was attended by members of the diplomatic corps, Ugandan government officials, academics, and members of the Russian community. It was a moment of reflection, remembrance, and renewed commitment to the values of peace and historical truth as they remembered the sacrifices.

Russia’s Ambassador Vladlen Semivolos (L) chats with SPA Lilly Ajarova, the outgoing Chief Executive Officer of the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB)

In his keynote address, Russia’s Ambassador to Uganda, Vladlen Semivolos described May 9 as “a sacred date in our national calendar,” calling the Soviet victory “an outstanding act of courage and self-sacrifice of our people.”

“The Soviet Union played a decisive role in the defeat of Nazism. Over 27 million Soviet citizens laid down their lives — a toll that remains unmatched in human history,” the Ambassador said. “It was us who disrupted the barbaric plans of destroying entire nations and defended the right of future generations to live in freedom.”

Russia’s Ambassador to Uganda Vladlen Semivolos delivered a moving speech in which he declared “Russia was, is, and will be victorious,”

Ambassador Semivolos paid special tribute to the soldiers, partisans, and civilians whose endurance under siege and in battle turned the tide of the war — from Leningrad to Stalingrad, Kursk, and Berlin.

“We honor the memory of those who perished, and we pay homage to the resilience of a people that, even in the darkest hours, never surrendered. The blood of heroes is forever woven into the soil of our Motherland,” he stated.

The event was attended by members of the diplomatic corps, Ugandan government officials, veterans, academics, and members of the Russian community.

Great Patriotic War, is the war of liberation fought by the peoples of the USSR against Nazi Germany and its European allies, and the most important part of World War II. The Great Patriotic War began on June 22, 1941, when German troops launched a surprise attack on the Soviet Union, and ended on May 8, 1945, when Germany signed the act of surrender.

Ms. Patricia Kishemeire Special representative/ Ambassador of the International Municipal cooperation Forum of the BRICS to Uganda graced the occasion

The Ambassador warned of growing efforts in the West to “rewrite the history of World War II”, accusing certain nations of “belittling the feat of the Soviet soldier” and “allowing the resurgence of fascist ideology under the guise of democracy.”

Uganda Electoral Commission Spokesperson Julius Mucunguzi and Russia’s Ambassador to Uganda Vladlen Semivolos

“There is a dangerous tendency today to falsify the past,” he said. “Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. We see Nazi collaborators being glorified and fascist symbols paraded under state protection in parts of Europe. This is a betrayal of everything that was fought for and won in 1945.”

Referring to the ongoing Ukraine conflict and the broader geopolitical rivalry between Russia and NATO, Ambassador Semivolos described these distortions of history as part of a broader campaign to isolate and weaken Russia.

Makerere University Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe chats with SPA Lilly Ajarova, the outgoing Chief Executive Officer of the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB)

“We are witnessing an open attack on our culture, on our history, and on our right to exist as an independent power,” he said. “But Russia was, is, and will be victorious — not just on the battlefield, but in truth, in memory, and in justice.”

He highlighted that 2025 has been declared the “Year of Peace and Unity in the Fight Against Nazism” by President Vladimir Putin — a move meant to strengthen historical memory and global resistance against the revival of fascism.

Russia’s Ambassador to Uganda Vladlen Semivolos (C) with guests at the event on Tuesday

“The lessons of the past are clear: peace must be defended, not just in words but in action. We invite all nations, especially in Africa, to stand firm against colonialism in all its modern forms,” he urged.

The Ambassador also expressed appreciation to Uganda for its continued cooperation and historical ties with Russia, especially in areas of education, defense, and mutual respect for sovereignty.

Russia’s Ambassador to Uganda Vladlen Semivolos (C), Mr Julius Mucunguzi (2nd L), Uganda Electoral Commission Spokesperson with a group of Ugandans who attended the function 

As the ceremony concluded, attendees observed a minute of silence in memory of the fallen. The event was followed by a reception.

H.E. Vladlen Semivolos with Mr Davis Akampurira who met and famously asked to be Russian President Vladimir Putin’s Africa son. Looking on is media owner Nicholas Mwesigwa