Uganda’s decision to join the BRICS bloc as parner member state, was driven by the need to protect itself from unilateral sanctions imposed by Western nations, according to Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Okello Oryem.
He made these remarks while addressing Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee during the presentation of the 2025/26 Budget Framework Paper.
Oryem revealed that the evolving global power dynamics, marked by the United States and European Union imposing sanctions without United Nations resolutions, compelled Uganda to align with BRICS.
At the start of this year, Uganda officially became a partner member state of the bloc.
The bloc—comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—offers a platform for nations to resist such unilateral measures. It has since expanded with the inclusion of Ethiopia, Iran, UAE, Egypt and Indonesia joining as permanent members.
“The United States and European Union, whenever they impose sanctions, expect other nations to comply. If not, penalties or additional sanctions are imposed. We’ve also witnessed instances where assets of countries are frozen without UN resolutions. Uganda cannot stand by as the global order shifts,” Oryem explained.
The minister was responding to a query by Kyadondo East MP, Nkunyingi Muwada, who sought clarification on the circumstances surrounding Uganda’s BRICS membership and its potential financial obligations.
Muwada questioned how the decision was processed, noting, “We need to understand how it was decided for Uganda to join BRICS, whether there are financial implications, and how we choose our international engagements.”
In response, Oryem clarified that joining BRICS does not impose financial obligations on Uganda. “This matter was discussed and approved by Cabinet. The President directed the Ministry of Finance, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to write to the BRICS Secretariat expressing Uganda’s interest in membership. I don’t believe parliamentary approval was required, as similar decisions for other memberships were made without it,” he stated.
BRICS, established as a counterweight to Western-led financial institutions, aims to foster cooperation among member states in areas such as trade, development, and geopolitics. Uganda’s partner membership signals its strategic positioning amid shifting global alliances.
