February 5, 2024 BRICS African Strategy Research Seminar: “Uganda - the new East African partner of BRICS”

Research Seminar: “Uganda - the new East African partner of BRICS”

E-mail address to register for the seminar: sofya.zamesina@mail.ru
Date and time: Feb. 5 at 12:00 p.m.
Organizer: Centre for African Strategy in BRICS
Theme: “Uganda - the new East African partner of BRICS”
Location: Conference hall of the Institute of African Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Format: Full-time, English language

The workshop will cover:
• Motivations for Uganda's cooperation with the association
• Opportunities and constraints to Uganda's integration into the BRICS structures
• BRICS expectations from Uganda
• A look at the new partnership from Uganda's neighbors

Discussants:
• Tatiana Sergeyevna Denisova - Head of the Center for the Study of Sub-Saharan Africa, Institute of African Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences.
• Daria Alexandrovna Zelenova - Head of the Center for the Study of BRICS African Strategy at the Institute of African Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences.

Two speakers are scheduled under the theme:
Maya Viktorovna Nikolskaya, - “Uganda and BRICS: A View from East Africa”
Head of the Center for African Studies IMI MGIMO

Abstract of the report
Since independence from Britain, Uganda's foreign policy has made a full 180-degree turn more than once. Sometimes these turns seemed mutually exclusive from the outside. In 1962 it joined the British Commonwealth of Nations, in 1964 it joined the Non-Aligned Movement. Three years later, along with Kenya and Tanzania, it became a founding member of the East African Community. In 1978, under the dictatorial regime of Idi Amin, she launched the Kager War against Tanzania, in which she suffered a crushing defeat. In the 1990s, it was involved in two Congolese wars, consistently supporting different sides of the conflict. In 2004, Richard Joseph of the Brookings Institution described Uganda as ‘the ideal African country’ in terms of its approach to democracy, reflecting its close friendship with the West and the US in particular. Twenty years later, the Joe Biden administration would brand Kampala a human rights violator and strike it from AGOA, the law that gives African states the right to export a range of goods to the US duty-free. Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

January 1, 2025. Uganda becomes a partner state of the BRICS, thus emphasizing its desire to leave the orbit of Western influence. However, many questions arise as to whether the participation of new African countries in BRICS can really be an effective alternative instrument for independent development.

Brian Mugabi, - “Opportunities and Challenges of Uganda's BRICS Partnership”
Ph.D., Lecturer at the Faculty of International Relations, MGIMO University, Chairman of the Uganda Diaspora in Russia

Abstract of the report
Uganda was invited to join BRICS as a partner country in October 2024. By accepting this invitation, it became the first East African partner country of the association. This marked a significant shift in its geopolitical approach.
The paper will critically examine the obstacles to Uganda's successful integration into BRICS and analyze the opportunities that Uganda's cooperation with the founding countries of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa offers. In particular, the implications of this cooperation for the socio-economic development of the country are discussed. An overview of the views of various stakeholders including local entrepreneurs, economic analysts and government representatives is also presented.

The paper will examine the prospects for Uganda's relationship with the BRICS. First, increased foreign direct investment (FDI) could bring significant benefits to the country, especially in areas such as technology, agriculture and energy. With high economic growth and significant industrial potential, the BRICS countries offer Uganda opportunities for strategic partnerships that can contribute to economic diversification and enhance its productive capacity.
In addition, Uganda's export potential could increase significantly with access to the vast BRICS markets, which in turn will improve the country's trade balance and support its long-term economic growth in line with the fourth National Development Plan, Vision 2040.

The report also analyzes the obstacles that Uganda may face on the path to BRICS integration. First, external pressure from Western countries, traditionally Uganda's key partners, is a major concern. This change can be seen as a shift away from Western alliances and dependence in favor of cooperation with multipolarity-oriented BRICS members.

Second, the dependence on foreign investment raises questions about the long-term sustainability of such cooperation, especially given the different political ideologies and economic approaches of the BRICS countries. In addition, coordinating Uganda's national interests with those of the grouping is challenging. Internal challenges, such as political instability, which is largely driven by external actors, as well as differences in the political and economic objectives of the member countries, may hinder Uganda's effective engagement with BRICS.

To address these challenges, the report proposes a comprehensive approach to the soft integration of Uganda into the BRICS structures. One of the key priorities should be the formation of a focused and balanced political strategy that ensures equal cooperation with all members of the association.

In order for Uganda to make the most of its partnership while minimizing potential risks, it is necessary to initiate broad discussions and strengthen institutional capacity. In addition, encouraging local participation in investment projects will increase the sustainability of the national economy and create favorable conditions for BRICS integration.

It is concluded that Uganda has considerable scope to achieve its diplomatic and economic objectives through cooperation with BRICS. However, maximizing the potential of this strategic partnership will require a carefully crafted strategy that recognizes and addresses emerging challenges.