Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Uganda Vice President Jessica Rose Epel Alupo on Sunday, 13 September 2026, on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, with both leaders committing to deeper bilateral ties and a stronger collective voice for the Global South. The meeting, held amid a gathering of emerging and developing economies, reaffirmed the growing strategic salience of India-Africa partnerships.

Key Areas of Cooperation Discussed

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the two leaders emphasised the need to enhance cooperation through technology partnerships, capacity building, knowledge sharing, investment facilitation, and private-sector collaboration. They also underlined that the development partnership between India and Uganda is 'a source of strength for both countries.'

Modi reaffirmed India's support to Uganda's 'Vision 2040' — a long-term national development blueprint for a transformed and prosperous Uganda — signalling sustained engagement beyond summit diplomacy. The leaders also highlighted that close people-to-people ties continue to provide solidity to the bilateral partnership.

Modi's Post on X and the Kampala Principles

Modi posted on X after the meeting: 'Delighted to meet Vice President Jessica Alupo of Uganda on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit. Recalled my memorable visit to Uganda in 2018 and the Kampala Principles that continue to guide India's engagement with Africa. We discussed ways to deepen cooperation in healthcare, agriculture, digital technologies and capacity building. India and Uganda will keep working closely to advance bilateral ties and ensure a stronger voice for the Global South.'

The reference to the Kampala Principles — the framework Modi articulated during his 2018 state visit to Uganda, which he described as 'memorable' — is significant. The principles outline India's approach to development cooperation with Africa, emphasising mutual respect, ownership by African nations, and demand-driven partnerships.

Alupo's Arrival and the BRICS Context

Vice President Alupo arrived in New Delhi on Friday to attend the summit and was received at the airport by Minister of State Jayant Singh. The MEA, in a post on X, extended a formal welcome, noting that 'India and Uganda share warm and friendly ties rooted in shared history and a growing contemporary partnership, in both bilateral and multilateral spheres.'

The meeting comes as India continues to consolidate its standing as a bridge between the Global South and major multilateral forums. Notably, this engagement with Uganda fits into a broader pattern of Modi-era outreach to sub-Saharan Africa — a region where China has aggressively expanded its diplomatic and economic footprint, and where India has sought to offer an alternative development model.

What Comes Next

Both sides are expected to follow up on commitments in healthcare, agriculture, and digital technologies. No specific timelines or financial figures were announced, but the framework of Uganda's Vision 2040 and the Kampala Principles provides a structured reference point for future engagements. India's broader Africa outreach through BRICS and other multilateral channels will likely continue to be a priority in the months ahead.