Alupo Praises Russia’s Tech: Innovators of Bots, Spammers, and Internet Trolls

(St. Petersurg, Russia) – Uganda’s Vice President Jessica Alupo recently praised Russia at the 4th Eurasian Women Forum, held in Saint Petersburg. While Ukraine’s skies are lit up with Russian missiles, Alupo was busy applauding Russia’s commitment to “peace, security, and development.” If irony could be bottled, Saint Petersburg would be overflowing by now.
Alupo’s glowing endorsement of Russia’s “partnership” with Africa included a host of lofty promises—collaborative technological advancements, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and even digital infrastructure. Naturally, no mention was made of the bombs falling on Kyiv or the atrocities committed against Ukrainian civilians. There was no need to discuss war crimes when you are talking about the potential of fiber optics and AI?
The real man behind these grand promises of collaboration with Africa is Vladimir Putin. The same Putin who has been marked by the International Criminal Court as a wanted man. With over 120 countries ready to arrest him for the abduction of Ukrainian children, Putin has clearly mastered the art of balancing diplomacy with delinquency. And here he is, promising Africa the moon and stars, when he can’t even set foot in half the world without risking handcuffs.
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Alupo, with straight faced enthusiasm, lauded this “friendship” as if it were some long standing, mutually beneficial relationship. “By sharing expertise and resources in areas such as digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence, both regions can harness technology to drive sustainable development,” she said. Meanwhile, back in Russia, these same cybersecurity skills are likely being honed to spread disinformation and prop up Kremlin narratives about Ukraine, in addition to weaponizing technology for cyberattacks on democracies.
In a strikingly optimistic tone, Alupo highlighted how “collaborative efforts” between Russia and Africa could address Africa’s development challenges, including healthcare, education, and infrastructure. She even threw in a call for women’s empowerment—something Russia is no doubt deeply concerned about, considering its track record of ignoring basic human rights. She encouraged Russian investment in Uganda, with a warm invitation for companies to dive into sectors like ICT, energy, and even mineral beneficiation. One wonders, though, if these investors will arrive wearing suits or military uniforms.
The timing of this speech is particularly curious. The European Parliament has confirmed Russia’s status as a state sponsor of terrorism. It is hard not to see this partnership as a distraction from Russia’s ongoing crimes in Ukraine. With global condemnation raining down on Putin, what better way to divert attention than by cozying up to African leaders? A little tech partnership talk goes a long way in shifting the narrative when you are facing accusations of child abduction.
Alupo’s comments about building “robust cybersecurity frameworks” and “mitigating cyber threats” between Russia and Africa sound like they were lifted straight out of a Kremlin propaganda handbook. Is Russia really the partner Africa should turn to for digital security, given its track record of hacking, disinformation campaigns, and cyberattacks on democratic nations? It is like asking a burglar for home security advice.
The Vice President’s final remarks about the importance of “inclusive dialogue” and “mutual respect” were almost comical. In Putin’s Russia, inclusivity means eliminating opposition, and respect means silencing anyone who dares speak against the regime. Yet here was Alupo, earnestly selling the idea that Uganda—and by extension, Africa—could benefit from these noble ideals by aligning with a country led by a man who cannot even step outside his own borders without risking arrest.
Uganda’s Vice President had deftly sidestepped the glaring elephant in the room—Russia’s ongoing, brutal war in Ukraine. The forum’s theme, “High Technology Era: Security and Development Issues,” could not have been more ironic. While Alupo was discussing technological advancement, Putin’s forces were undoubtedly causing more destruction in Ukraine, all in the name of a war that the Kremlin still tries to justify with laughable excuses.
Africa’s leaders might want to think twice before getting too cozy with Russia. Behind every promise of “collaborative development” lies the reality of a regime that is known for breaking international law, spreading disinformation, and terrorizing innocent civilians. For all the talk of “peace, security, and mutual growth,” the question remains: Is this partnership with Russia really about development—or is it just another front in Putin’s propaganda war?