After years of playing passive diplomacy with Uganda and much of Africa, the Russian government is changing tact to a more visible and proactive engagement with the continent.

The signs of rapprochement came with the launch of the new Russia-African Foundation for Science, Culture and Economic Development (RAFSCED) at Sheraton hotel this week.

The foundation, according to its Director Dr. Karen Meliksimonyan, will endeavour to create better understanding between Ugandans and the Russian people with the view to developing ties in trade, investments as well as culture and science.

Attended by the two ambassadors Moses Ebuk, Uganda's envoy to Moscow and Sergey Shishkin, the Russian Ambassador to Uganda, the launch of the foundation was hailed as a first but very important step forward to stronger ties.

Ambassador Ebuk said: "This is a big step forward. It was our concern that the people of Uganda and Russia get to know one another as the basis of diplomacy."

Meliksimonyan added that after knowing each other, more exchanges are anticipated between traders, artists as well as the academia.

Already, a Russian jazz group - the Jazz Bass Theater was scheduled to perform along with Uganda's renowned artists like Isaiah Katumwa, at the Sheraton on Friday February 3.

This will be followed later by a business conference that will bring together Russian and Ugandan business people this year.

And according to Ambassador Ebuk, Russians are interested in investing in the beef as well as the diary sector.

But the highlight of this renewed cooperation is expected to come with the anticipated visit to Uganda of the Russian president soon.

President Museveni made a seven day visit to Russia in 2009 and the Russians, according to Ambassador Ebuk are planning to reciprocate the gesture as proven by the recent visit to Uganda of Russia's deputy foreign minister.