Washington and Moscow geopolitics, it appears are set to increasingly playout in Kampala, at least in matters health if events in the past two days are to go by.
In what appears to be a move by the Russian motherland to have a stake in Uganda’s affairs, especially helping in the fight against COVID19, the country’s ambassador to Uganda, Alexander Polyakov on Thursday visited the country’s Health Ministry where he held talks with Minister Dr Jane Ruth Aceng.
According to a tweet by Aceng, the two discussed Russia’s help in Uganda’s response to the coronavirus pandemic and the possibility of the East African country purchasing the Sputnik V vaccine.
“This morning, I had a fruitful discussion with the Ambassador of Russia to Uganda on their support to our COVID-19 response. We discussed the option of procuring the Russian COVID-19 Vaccine, Sputnik V. We shall discuss further with our scientists and make an informed decision,” Aceng tweeted.
The meeting comes a day after Washington’s envoy to Uganda, Ambassador Natalie E. Brown also visited the ministry and held talks with top officials led by Aceng.
Aceng and Natalie discussed Kampala-Washington cooperation in health the East African country’s plan to end HIV by 2030. They also held talks on the country’s COVID19 response.
The Ministry of Health recently announced that they had placed an order of 18 million doses of the Astra Zeneca from the Serum Institute of India, which will be used to vaccinate people above 50 years of age, as well as people with underlying health conditions, health workers, security personnel, teachers and other essential social service providers.
The Serum Institute is supplying doses of the vaccine to Brazil, Saudi Arabia and South Africa at $5.25 per dose.
Ambassador Polyakov’s visit a day after Natalie, is probably a statement of intent by Moscow that it intends to play a more active and visible role in her cooperation with Uganda.
The US is the biggest donor to Uganda’s Health system although the latter cooperates more with Moscow on defence matters.
In 2019, Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni, was among African leaders who attended the Russia – Africa Summit in Sochi. Museveni and the Ugandan delegation to the summit later held discussions with the Russian President Vladimir Putin and the two, discussed cooperation in the areas of manufacture of human and livestock vaccines, explore space technology, construction, cyber technology and agriculture among others.
RUSSIA’S SPUTNIK V COVID19 VACCINE
According to the BBC, Russia’s Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine gives around 92% protection against Covid-19, late stage trial results published in The Lancet reveal.
It has also been deemed to be safe – and offer complete protection against hospitalisation and death.
The vaccine was initially met with some controversy after being rolled out before the final trial data had been released.
But scientists said its benefit has now been demonstrated.
Alex Masereka Joel
TWITTER: @kukuwazabanga
maserekaalex4@gmail.com