Uganda leader: An attack on Russia is an attack on Africa

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As the rift between Russia and the West grows, African nations seem to be going in the opposite direction and warming ties with Moscow. 

Most recently, Uganda seems to be partnering with Russia on a multitude of issues and strengthening relations on a high level, with officials declaring Russia an ally, a partner, and a friend of the African country.

According to the Ugandan leadership, both President and Land Forces commander, Russia has supported Uganda in its anti-colonial fight for 100 years and they will not forget this.

Taking this dynamic alliance further, Ugandan Land Forces commander Muhoozi Kainerugaba acknowledged Russian President Vladimir Putin's statement regarding a possible nuclear war through a tweet on his personal page, highlighting that any attack on Russia is an attack on Africa. 

President Putin does not have to threaten nuclear war. We hear him. An attack on Russia is an attack on Africa! pic.twitter.com/r2Xpe56V5Q

— Muhoozi Kainerugaba 'Rubereza' (@mkainerugaba) September 24, 2022

On July 24-28, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov visited African partners Egypt, Ethiopia, Uganda, and the Congo. 

During that visit, Moscow, according to Lavrov, committed to the continued fulfillment of its obligations to supply food, fertilizers, and energy to African countries, regardless of Western sanctions. 

"It is essential that all our African friends understand that Russia will continue to fulfill in good faith its obligations under international contracts with regard to exports of food, fertilizers, energy, and other goods vital for Africa. Russia is taking all measures to this end," Lavrov said.

He added that Russia is well-aware of the importance of commodities essential to the social fabric, which includes food.

"I would like to emphasize that the speculations of Western and Ukrainian propaganda that Russia allegedly "exports hunger" are completely unfounded. In fact, these are yet another attempt to shift the blame to others," Lavrov said. 

Read more:  Putin hopes Russia-Africa summit will strengthen ties: Kremlin

During that visit, Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni praised Moscow for its assistance in the fight against colonialism in the 20th century.

Museveni told Lavrov “Whenever issues come up and some people want us to take positions against Russia, we say, ‘these people have been with us for the last 100 years, how can we be automatically against them?'”

How can we automatically be against those who have been with us for the last 100 years? We have forgiven those who did bad things to us and we are working with them, how about those who have never harmed us? pic.twitter.com/BKmN5ApgZu

— Yoweri K Museveni (@KagutaMuseveni) July 26, 2022

This came at a time when Russia publicly stated that the West has been pressuring Africa to take a stance against Russia and support the anti-Russia sanctions imposed by the collective West.

However, Museveni showed his clear position on the matter when he argued that "if Russia makes mistakes then we tell them. But when they have not made a mistake we cannot be against them.”

Musevini also tweeted at the time and made an argument that Uganda refuses to fight someone else's fight and reaffirms his country's right to and desire to trade with Russia.

We want to trade with Russia. We want to trade with all countries of the world. We don’t believe in being enemies of somebody’s enemy, No! We want to make our own enemies not fight other people’s enemies. pic.twitter.com/XQgpWoNKjQ

— Yoweri K Museveni (@KagutaMuseveni) July 26, 2022

Most importantly, the Ugandan President acknowledged that "Russia has been supporting the anti-colonial African movement for the last 100 years and I commend their long-standing relationship with Uganda." This marks a clear difference between the relationship that Africa shares with Russia relative to that it has shared with the collective West over the past 100 years.

The people of Uganda and myself welcome H.E Sergey Lavrov, Russia’s Foreign Affairs Minister. Russia has been supporting the anti-colonial African movement for the last 100 years and I commend their long-standing relationship with Uganda. pic.twitter.com/9Cim7QNbF8

— Yoweri K Museveni (@KagutaMuseveni) July 26, 2022

The Ugandan Land Forces commander's statement comes at a time when the war between Russia and the collective West intensifies and the critical juncture leading towards a new multi-polar world becomes more visible. 

African countries such as Uganda, Cape Town, Mali, and others have not forgotten the terrors of the colonial era of the West that has not only destroyed, impoverished, and occupied Africa but has also worked endlessly to maintain its grip on African decision-making and capital. 

Read more: Senegal's president: Africa not breeding ground for new Cold War