(AP) — A video circulating online last month shows a group of men in military fatigues standing in a snow-covered forest, singing a Ugandan song. Off camera, a voice speaking Russian derides them as “disposable.”
The footage has intensified scrutiny over allegations that Ugandan citizens — including military veterans — have been recruited and sent to fight alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, sometimes under false pretenses.
Media investigations, including one published Monday by AFP, have highlighted what they describe as a covert recruitment pipeline funneling Ugandans into the conflict. The revelations follow similar reporting that stirred debate in Kenya and South Africa over African nationals joining the war.
Uganda has long maintained close diplomatic and military ties with Russia during the nearly four decades of President Yoweri Museveni’s leadership. Kampala has acquired Russian military equipment and abstained from United Nations votes condemning Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
In March 2023, Museveni’s son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, then a senior military commander and now Uganda’s army chief, publicly voiced support for Moscow on social media, writing that Uganda would defend Russia if it were threatened by “imperialists.”
Uganda is widely regarded as having one of East Africa’s most capable militaries. Its troops have formed a substantial part of international peacekeeping forces in Somalia, and many veterans have gone on to work with private security firms in Afghanistan and Iraq.
An official with the Special Returnees Association, a Ugandan veterans’ group, told AFP that recruiters had recently approached some of its estimated 20,000 members with overseas job offers. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to security concerns, indicated that the recruits were initially promised employment in Israel but were instead routed to Russia.
He said he was aware of “more than ten” individuals who traveled to Russia under such arrangements, including three who later died. The official described warnings issued to veterans about the risks, saying they feared the men would be killed and buried in harsh winter conditions.
Ugandan intelligence sources quoted by AFP said that in August nine men were stopped at Entebbe International Airport while preparing to board a flight to Russia. The men were reportedly part of a larger group — estimated at more than 100 Ugandans with prior military experience — who had been leaving the country in stages.
One intelligence source indicated that a Russian national arrested in connection with the case was later released and that the inquiry has since stalled. Another security official suggested some recruits have since begun departing via neighboring Kenya.
Ugandan authorities have not publicly detailed the scope of the investigation, nor have they announced prosecutions tied to the alleged network.
The authenticity and precise location of the widely shared forest video have not been independently verified. In the clip, a Russian voice comments that the men will “sing differently” once sent to the front lines.
Ugandan broadcaster NTV recently aired an interview with the widow of Edson Kamwesigye, who was killed in Ukraine last month. Images of his body and identification documents circulated on social media shortly after his death.
Uganda’s state minister for foreign affairs, Okello Oryem, told NTV that the government could not intervene directly in the repatriation of bodies from the conflict zone.
In another development, a Ugandan man identified as Richard Akantoran appeared in a video published by Ukraine’s military, saying he had been rescued after fleeing a Russian unit. He described being promised employment in Russia as a supermarket worker or security guard.
Once in Russia, he alleged, he and others were compelled to sign military contracts under threat.
“A soldier pointed a gun at us and said, ‘You sign these papers,’” Akantoran said in the recording.
In February 2024, Uganda’s government shared a message on X from Russia’s ambassador describing “unlimited opportunities for young people in Russia.” The post drew renewed attention after the AFP investigation.
Akantoran used the Ukrainian video to caution others. “To my fellow Africans… do not fall into the trap,” he said. “They promise you well-paid jobs in Russia… it’s a lie.”
The allegations underscore the expanding global footprint of the war in Ukraine, now entering its third year. While foreign fighters have joined both sides since the conflict escalated, recruitment efforts targeting economically vulnerable populations in Africa raise additional ethical and geopolitical questions.
African governments face a delicate balance. Many, including Uganda, maintain historical ties with Russia dating back to Cold War-era alliances. Moscow has cultivated influence through arms sales, security partnerships and diplomatic outreach. At the same time, Western nations have pressed African states to distance themselves from Russia over the invasion.
If substantiated, the recruitment of Ugandan veterans through deceptive contracts could strain Kampala’s diplomatic positioning. It may also prompt closer scrutiny of private recruiters operating across borders, particularly where employment offers mask military enlistment.
The episode further highlights the economic pressures that can make overseas job promises appealing. High youth unemployment and underemployment among veterans create fertile ground for recruiters offering stable pay abroad.
Analysts note that while foreign recruitment is not new in global conflicts, the use of intermediaries and misleading employment contracts complicates accountability. Determining whether recruits joined voluntarily or under coercion could shape potential legal consequences.
For families of those killed, however, the geopolitical ramifications offer little solace. As investigations continue, questions remain over how many Ugandans may have been drawn into the war — and whether oversight mechanisms can prevent further departures.
Ugandan officials have not announced new policy measures, and Russia has not publicly addressed the allegations in detail.
