India's High Commissioner to Uganda, Upendra Singh Rawat, on Monday, 21 September 2026, paid a farewell courtesy call on Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni in Kampala, reaffirming the enduring strength of the India-Uganda bilateral partnership. The meeting, confirmed by the High Commission of India in Uganda, highlighted recent diplomatic milestones that have given fresh momentum to ties between the two countries.

Key Diplomatic Milestones Cited

The High Commission noted two recent high points in the relationship: Vice President Jessica Alupo's participation in the BRICS Summit and the convocation ceremony at the National Forensic Sciences University's Jinja Campus in Uganda. Both events were cited as evidence of the growing institutional depth of the partnership.

Modi-Alupo Meeting at BRICS Summit

On 13 September, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Ugandan Vice President Jessica Rose Epel Alupo met on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi. According to a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the two leaders called for closer bilateral engagement to champion the voice of the Global South.

'They emphasised the need to enhance cooperation in key priority areas through technology partnerships, capacity building, knowledge sharing, investment facilitation, and private-sector collaboration between the two countries,' the MEA statement read. It added that the development partnership between India and Uganda is 'a source of strength for both countries.'

Prime Minister Modi also reaffirmed India's support for Uganda's 'Vision 2040' — the country's long-term development blueprint for a transformed and prosperous Uganda.

Kampala Principles and India's Africa Engagement

Modi recalled his 2018 visit to Uganda, describing it as 'memorable', and noted that the Kampala Principles continue to guide India's broader engagement with the African continent. In a post on X, the Prime Minister wrote: '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.'

He added: 'India and Uganda will keep working closely to advance bilateral ties and ensure a stronger voice for the Global South.'

Broader Context: India-Africa Ties

This comes amid India's intensified diplomatic outreach to the African continent, with the BRICS Summit providing a platform to engage multiple African leaders simultaneously. Uganda's participation at BRICS — through its Vice President — signals Kampala's interest in aligning with emerging multilateral frameworks where India plays a leading role. Notably, the Kampala Principles, articulated during Modi's 2018 Africa tour, emphasise demand-driven development cooperation, capacity building, and local ownership — a framework that continues to differentiate India's Africa policy from that of other major powers.

As High Commissioner Rawat concludes his tenure, both sides appear keen to ensure that institutional ties — from forensic science education to digital technology — carry the partnership forward regardless of personnel changes.