KCCA PARTICIPATES IN LAUNCH OF BRICS CAPITALS PARLIAMENTARY MOVEMENT IN MOSCOW

Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Executive Director, Sharifah Buzeki, has joined leaders from other world capitals in Moscow for the signing of the Joint Statement of the Parliamentary Movement of the BRICS Capitals, marking a significant moment for Kampala’s growing international profile.

The ceremony, held at the Moscow Parliamentary Centre, brought together representatives from major cities aligned with BRICS, the alliance of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa  as well as partner nations including Ethiopia, Iran, Cuba, Belarus, and Uganda.

BRICS, has expanded its urban collaboration through this new Parliamentary Movement of the BRICS Capitals, designed to create direct partnerships among major cities facing similar challenges in infrastructure growth, digital urban governance, and climate-conscious sustainable development.

In her address, Buzeki reaffirmed Kampala’s and Uganda’s commitment to the new partnership, calling it a timely initiative for promoting collaboration among rapidly growing cities.

“This is an opportunity for cities like Kampala to share practical solutions and learn from one another,” she said. “A city alone can go fast, but together, we can reach so far.”

The new movement seeks to complement traditional diplomacy by fostering cooperation at the municipal level — bringing cities closer together to exchange knowledge and design people-centered solutions.

The signing ceremony attracted several top Russian officials, including Deputy Chairpersons of the Federation Council Konstantin Kosachev and Inna Svyatenko, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Ryabkov, and Moscow Government Minister Sergey Cheremin, who heads the Department for External Economic and International Relations.

Uganda’s Ambassador to Russia, Moses Kizige, was also present, alongside officials representing Minsk (Belarus), Brasilia (Brazil), Havana (Cuba), Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), Tehran (Iran), and Tshwane (South Africa).

Aleksey Shaposhnikov, Chairman of the Moscow City Duma, described the new framework as “a new chapter in the international cooperation of major cities,” adding that partnerships among representative city bodies will strengthen a world order based on equality, trust, and mutual respect.

Kampala’s participation underscores its growing reputation as a forward-looking African capital actively engaged in global conversations about sustainable urban growth and innovation.

Following the Moscow ceremony, Buzeki and her delegation will proceed to St. Petersburg, where they will join other BRICS nations for the BRICS Municipal Forum, slated for 28th to 31st October 2025.

At the Forum, Kampala will showcase its achievements in urban transformation, climate resilience, and inclusive service delivery, reinforcing its position as a progressive city building partnerships beyond borders.