Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield,  U.S. Representative to the United Nations

By Atwine Allen   –   DIPLOMATIC   TIMES  CORRESPONDENT

KAMPALA,  UGANDA  –  A new Scramble for Africa is on! French President Emmanuel Macron made visits to Cameroon, Benin and Guinea Bissau last week amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict.  Russia’s top diplomat Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was also dispatched to Uganda last week on his third stop on an African tour to win over the Continent against Western pressure over the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine.  Lavrov also visited Egypt,  DR Congo, and Ethiopia. Now, within days after warmly embracing Moscow’s  Foreign Minister, Uganda is preparing for a visit from the United States  Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield.   According to a media note posted by the US Mission to the United Nations, ambassador Thomas-Greenfield will travel to Uganda and Ghana August 4-6 to “discuss the U.S. and global response to the impact of Russia’s war against Ukraine on global food security, as well as other regional and bilateral priorities”. 

After the U.S. ambassador visits Ghana and Uganda,  the American Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken will travel to  South Africa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Rwanda the following week. 

UGANDA:   FROM  RUSSIA WITH “LOVE” 

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (L) and Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni (R) shaking hands during a meeting in Entebbe, Uganda, 26 July 2022. Lavrov is on a working visit to Uganda.  (PHOTO:  EPA-EFE/RUSSIAN FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTRY HANDOUT)

While in Uganda,  Thomas- Greenfield will also continue discussions with government and civil society leaders in Uganda, about the importance of strong and inclusive democratic institutions, respect for human rights , and the promotion of peace, stability and economic growth, according to the media note.  She will also discuss bilateral and regional security issues, and “Uganda’s commitment to welcoming and supporting” refugees.   Some political observers  predict discussions between the U.S. Ambassador  and  President Museveni  could prove awkward given the fact the Ugandan leader had just  warmly embraced a top diplomat from a country the US has sanctioned again and again amid the Ukraine war.  

Uganda Museveni praised Russia as a partner in a century-long struggle against colonialism 

Last week, President Museveni made note of his participation in student demonstrations against the infamous crushing over the Prague Spring by the USSR in 1968 to show that Africa will critisize Moscow for errors in judgment.  President Museveni said “rivalry” between the US and Russia “is not part of our liberation strategy”.  

RUSSIA-UGANDA Military Cooperation Increases

Russia has been Uganda’s number one source of military equipment over the past decade and is assisting Kampala with technology transfer.  President Museveni is playing a shrewd game of strengthening ties with Russia while, at the same time, trying not to alienate the West.  In 2011,  President Museveni purchased six Sukhoi Su-30MK2 fighter jets  from Russia despite protest from government officials. Each jet costs nearly $800  US Million. 

UGANDA Also Benefits from Significant U.S. Development, Security Assistance 

Over the years,  Uganda has been  a recipient of development and security assistance from the United States. The US provides significant health and development assistance to Uganda, with a total assistance budget exceeding $950 million per year, according to the US Department of State. 

“Uganda has been a reliable partner for the United States in promoting stability in the Horn and East/Central Africa and in combatting terror, particularly through its contribution to the African Union Mission in Somalia”     –   US  Department  of  State

-RUSSIA  Foreign Minister Lavrov Defends Moscow Position in Africa 

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (L) and Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni (R) during meeting in Entebbe, Uganda July 26, 2022. (Photo:  Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia) 

The West has blamed Russia’s war and its Black sea blockade of Ukrainian grain for skyrocketing global food prices that have sparked risks of famine in the Horn of Africa.

In a column published in newspapers in the four countries Lavrov is visiting , the Russian foreign minister wrote:

” We appreciate the considered Africa  position as to the situation in and around  Ukraine’  and described the pressure being put on African nations to join Western sanctions as “unprecedented” 

“The only link with the Ukraine situation in food security lies in the unlawful and aggressive sanctions imposed by the West on the Russian Federation. Russia adheres to the principled position whereby African problems can only have African solutions.”

-Russian Foreign Minister   Lavrov

For now,  President Museveni will continue to play the delicate balancing act of moving closer to Moscow, while placating the West during his upcoming visit with the US Ambassador to the UN.  But we all now the old saying:  “You cannot serve two masters”.     Stay tuned!