Uganda has again abstained from voting against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine for te third time despite earlier calls from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to President Museveni to secure his vote making.
The U.N. General Assembly on Thursday approved a nonbinding resolution that calls for Russia to end hostilities in Ukraine and withdraw its forces, an outcome that came on the eve of the first anniversary of the invasion by Russia.
The resolution was drafted by Ukraine in consultation with its allies and it passed after being supported by 141 countries whereas seven including Russia, voted against it.
Uganda was among the 32 countries that abstained from the vote to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Others were Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Burundi, the Central African Republic, China, the Republic of Congo, Cuba, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Gabon, Guinea, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Mongolia, Mozambique, Namibia, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tajikistan, Togo, Uzbekistan, Vietnam and Zimbabwe
The development came a few hours after Ukraine President, Volodymyr Zelenskyfor the first time held a phone call conversation with his Ugandan counterpart, Yoweri Museveni in which they discussed matters of mutual interest.
According to sources, the two leaders discussed the potential of developing relations between Uganda and Ukraine.
“I am glad to have the first conversation in the history of bilateral relations with the President of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni. I spoke about Ukrainian peace initiatives at the UN. We also talked about the potential for developing bilateral relations,” Zelensky said after the phone call.