Kampala has officially joined a select circle of world capitals in a historic move toward deepening city-level diplomacy, after the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) delegation, led by Executive Director Sharifah Buzeki, took part in the ceremonial signing of the Joint Statement of the Parliamentary Movement of the BRICS Capitals in Moscow, Russia. The event, held at the Moscow Parliamentary Centre, marked the birth of a new platform designed to bring together cities that share similar urban development challenges and ambitions, from infrastructure growth to digital transformation and sustainable living.

The initiative, known as the Parliamentary Movement of the BRICS Capitals, represents a fresh approach to international cooperation. Instead of relying solely on traditional state-to-state diplomacy, it aims to strengthen connections directly between city governments and representative bodies. For fast-growing capitals like Kampala, this movement opens doors to practical collaboration, knowledge exchange, and a louder voice in shaping global urban policies. “We are not just observers,” one KCCA official said at the sidelines of the event. “We are now contributors to how cities around the world can cooperate to create real impact.”

The Moscow ceremony brought together an impressive lineup of senior officials and diplomats. Among them were Russia’s Deputy Chairpersons of the Federation Council, Konstantin Kosachev and Inna Svyatenko, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Ryabkov, and Sergey Cheremin, Minister of the Moscow Government and Head of the Department for External Economic and International Relations. Uganda’s Ambassador to Russia, Moses Kizige, joined the delegation in celebrating Kampala’s inclusion alongside representatives from other capitals such as Minsk, Brasília, Havana, Addis Ababa, Tehran, and Tshwane. The mood in the hall was described as both formal and hopeful, a sense that something new and necessary was being born in the spirit of multilateral friendship.

Aleksey Shaposhnikov, Chairman of the Moscow City Duma, set the tone for the gathering with remarks that resonated deeply across the room. “This marks a new chapter in the international cooperation of major cities,” he said, noting that the platform’s success would depend on collective commitment and openness. He emphasized that the shared challenges of modern cities, rapid population growth, digital governance, climate change, and infrastructure pressure, require shared solutions. “Through the unity of representative bodies of our key cities,” he added, “we are building a future world order based on equality, trust, and mutual respect.” His words, warmly received, underscored the sense that the world’s capitals are increasingly recognizing their role as engines of both local and global progress.

Representing Kampala, Executive Director Sharifah Buzeki delivered remarks that reflected both pride and purpose. She affirmed Uganda’s dedication to the new formation and positioned Kampala as a willing partner in shaping global urban cooperation. “A city alone can go fast,” she said in her address, “but together we can reach so far.” Her statement drew nods from several delegates, as it captured the spirit of collective progress that the BRICS Capitals initiative hopes to ignite. She added that Kampala’s participation would not only strengthen its international ties but also provide valuable insights into tackling shared urban issues such as housing, transportation, and environmental management.

Following the signing ceremony, the KCCA delegation is set to continue its engagement in Russia by traveling to St. Petersburg, where it will join other BRICS member cities for the BRICS Municipal Forum scheduled for October 28–31, 2025. The forum will delve deeper into policy frameworks for sustainable urban governance and explore the creation of digital and green infrastructure partnerships. For Kampala, this represents more than just a diplomatic gesture, it is an opportunity to bring home lessons and partnerships that can translate into tangible improvements for city residents.

In many ways, Kampala’s participation signals a turning point. It positions Uganda’s capital not just as a regional hub but as an emerging player in the global conversation on urban innovation and resilience. The moment may have been ceremonial, but its implications are profound. As cities increasingly take on roles once reserved for national governments, Kampala’s seat at the BRICS Capitals table could redefine how it approaches growth and governance in the years ahead. The handshake in Moscow was more than symbolic, it was a promise that Kampala is ready to think globally while acting locally, side by side with some of the world’s most dynamic capitals.