Ugandan Embassy Confirms 11 Citizens Dead and 16 Missing in Russia-Ukraine War

The Ugandan Embassy in Moscow has officially confirmed that at least 11 Ugandans have lost their lives while serving in the Russian military during the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. An additional 16 citizens remain unaccounted for, according to a communication sent by Uganda’s Ambassador to Russia, Moses K. Kizige, to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The ambassador’s update followed an official inquiry sent to the Russian government after concerned families raised the alarm. While the Russian authorities confirmed the deaths through a note verbale, the bodies of the deceased have not been located, and none of them are currently listed as prisoners of war.

The crisis came to light largely due to a petition filed by Innocent Kato, whose brother lost contact with his family after allegedly being lured into joining foreign forces. Kato revealed that a Russian national named Dimitri had recruited over 100 Ugandans. Although security authorities initially intercepted one group at Entebbe International Airport, the recruiter altered his tactics by routing subsequent groups through neighbouring countries like South Sudan, Turkey, and finally into Moscow.

Upon arrival, the recruits reportedly faced devastating deception. The promised jobs were non-existent, and the men were allegedly forced to sign contracts in Russian without understanding the terms. Instead of lucrative employment, they were thrust into military training and deployed to the frontline. Families back home are now facing severe hardships, including school dropouts and evictions, as the promised monthly salaries of $6,000 never materialized.

Uganda is not alone in facing this challenge. Across the continent, nations like Kenya, Ghana, South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo have reported citizens being trapped in similar circumstances. While some countries have successfully repatriated their nationals through intense diplomatic engagement, the latest figures underscore the urgent need to protect vulnerable citizens from deceptive overseas recruitment operations.

Read the full report on Nile Post.