In October 2024, Uganda, Thailand, Nigeria, Belarus, and nine other countries were invited to join BRICS.
The Federative Republic of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa form the BRICS, an interstate association.
Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Ethiopia joined the association on January 1, 2024.
BRICS, founded in 2009 by Russia, China, India, and Brazil, aims to surpass European Union countries in terms of peace and security, development, and cooperation.
Uganda’s decision to join BRICS on January 1, 2025 was met with mixed reactions. The foreign affairs ministry was asked to provide an explanation for the decision by the nation’s legislative house.
Nkunyingi Muwada, MP of Kyadondo East and shadow minister of foreign affairs, asked Okello Oryem, the state minister of foreign affairs, to explain how Uganda came to join BRICS and what financial obligations come with this membership.
The minister revealed that Uganda was forced to join the BRICS due to changes in the global order, with the United States and the European Union unilaterally imposing sanctions on countries.
These sanctions, according to Okello, are completely contrary to international practice, but the two expect other countries to follow them, necessitating Uganda’s protection from such sanctions.
The minister made the explanations while appearing before Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee.
He also presented the 2025/26 budget framework for the ministry’s foreign service.
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