Uganda has made a significant diplomatic and economic stride on the global stage, marking its first official participation as a BRICS partner country at the just-concluded 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro.

Represented by Vice President Jessica Rose Epel Alupo, Uganda used the summit to position itself as a key emerging market in Africa and to deepen strategic relations with countries in the Global South.

The summit, held from July 6 to 7, brought together top leaders from BRICS member states—Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa—and newly designated BRICS partners, including Uganda, in a forum that focused on strengthening multilateralism, reforming global financial systems, and expanding South–South cooperation.

Uganda–Russia-Vietnam Bilateral Talks: Agriculture, Coffee & Mining in Focus

On the sidelines of the summit, VP Alupo held high-level bilateral discussions with Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. They discussed ways to strengthen Kampala-Moscow ties which seem to be at their highest.

Alupo also met with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, during which she reiterated Uganda’s commitment to deepening multifaceted cooperation with Viet Nam, especially in agriculture, trade, and mining.

In response, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh expressed Viet Nam’s appreciation for Uganda’s potential and described Uganda as one of Viet Nam’s priority partners in Africa.

“Viet Nam always attaches great importance to its friendly and multifaceted cooperation with Uganda,” the Vietnamese Prime Minister affirmed.

Alupo encouraged Vietnamese enterprises to explore Uganda’s investment landscape, particularly in agri-processing, coffee value chains, and mineral exploration—sectors critical to Uganda’s Vision 2040 and the country’s industrialization agenda.

BRICS Emphasizes Multipolarity and Trade Justice

The BRICS Summit’s joint declaration emphasized the need for reform of international financial institutions, a more equitable global order, and the elimination of protectionist trade practices. Uganda, now part of the expanded BRICS+ framework, aligned itself with these core principles.

Vice President Alupo praised BRICS' efforts to address global trade imbalances and pledged Uganda’s support for a fairer economic system that empowers developing countries.

The summit also issued strong statements on key geopolitical issues, condemning unilateral sanctions, military interventions, and protectionist tariffs. Leaders reiterated their call for a multipolar world, where developing countries like Uganda have a greater voice in shaping global economic policy.

A New Era of South–South Economic Diplomacy

Uganda’s presence at BRICS marks a milestone in the country’s foreign policy strategy, which increasingly emphasizes economic diplomacy, trade diversification, and investment partnerships beyond the traditional West.

By aligning with emerging economies such as India, China, Brazil, and Vietnam, Uganda is looking to attract:

• Technology transfers in agriculture and industry,

• FDI in value-added sectors such as agro-processing and mining,

• And increased market access for Ugandan exports.

This follows Uganda’s elevation to BRICS partner status earlier this year in January 2025—a move celebrated by Kampala as an opportunity to engage on issues of development financing, climate resilience, and infrastructure investment with like-minded nations.

What Lies Ahead

Vice President Alupo's engagements in Rio de Janeiro are expected to be followed by:

• Technical follow-up missions between Uganda, Russia and Vietnam,

• Exploration of a Uganda–BRICS Business Council mechanism,

• Deeper integration into BRICS’ development agenda, especially on trade, transport, and industrial parks.

Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, together with the Ministry of Trade, is also expected to begin consultations on the same to further leverage partnerships through BRICS Development Bank financing instruments.