At least 14 Ugandans who enlisted in the Russian military have been confirmed dead, while another 16 are missing and presumed dead, according to the Ugandan Embassy in Moscow.
The names are contained in a communication from Uganda’s Head of Mission in Moscow, Ambassador Moses K. Kizige, to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In a letter dated 17 October 2026, Kizige said the embassy had received information from Russian authorities about Ugandans believed to have been serving in what Moscow describes as its “special military operations” zone.
The information was provided by the Russian government in a response dated 8 October 2026, following an inquiry submitted by the Ugandan embassy on 19 August.
The embassy said its inquiry followed several telephone conversations with Innocent Kato, whom Kizige identified as the principal petitioner representing families of Ugandans believed to have joined the Russian military.
Kato provided passport details for some of the Ugandans, which were verified by Uganda’s Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration before being submitted to the Russian authorities for verification.
According to the embassy, the Ugandans listed as missing are presumed dead because their whereabouts remain unknown. Kizige said they were also not known to be prisoners of war.
The 14 Ugandans confirmed dead are:
- Ronald Bugiri
- John Male
- Francis Ngabirano
- Innocent Agaba
- Levi Kasule
- Bigirwa Mugisa
- Richard Twine
- Junior Moses Mawejje
- Pius Byamugisha
- David Buyondo
- Godfrey Kamugira
- Baker Mwesigye
- Alex Mutesigensi
- Edson Kamwesigye
Full list of 16 Ugandans missing and presumed dead
The 16 Ugandans whose whereabouts remain unknown are:
- Maxima Tindyebwa
- Darius Twebaze
- Alex Katurebe
- Miro Mukasa
- Eric Kwesiga
- Kosiaa Kusima
- Johnson Kakuru
- Edwin Musasizi
- Vicent Musisi
- Nelson Mugyenyi
- Alex Akanshabira
- David Kiwanuka Ssekisibo
- Henry Rwakiziri Bamutina
- Stephen Muhame
- William Kyoffa
- Nelson Lukwita
The embassy also reported the case of another Ugandan, Robert Tumwebaze, who was reportedly dismissed from the Russian armed forces.
Kizige said Tumwebaze was taken to the Ugandan embassy after being discharged from a military hospital in Nizhny Novgorod. However, he reportedly fled from embassy staff at a railway station.
