How the Kremlin Uses the Russian Orthodox Church to Promote Its Influence in Africa
russian propaganda promotes the opening of another ROC church in Uganda
▫️russian sources are spreading messages about the opening of a new russian orthodox church (ROC) in the African country of Uganda. They present the ROC’s activities on the continent as “spiritual support” for the people of Africa and as part of russia’s humanitarian mission. In reality, however, the ROC is one of the tools used to spread russian propaganda and expand its political and military influence in African countries.
The Center has previously reported that since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the kremlin has sharply increased its “religious presence” in Africa. Over the past three years, the ROC has opened parishes in at least 30 countries. ROC figures actively promote anti-Western sentiment across the continent, exploiting anti-colonial narratives and the historical traumas of African peoples.
In reality, moscow’s real goals on the continent are entirely neo-colonial — to expand its influence, strengthen its military presence, and gain access to natural resources. The activities of the kremlin-controlled ROC are aimed precisely at achieving these objectives, while “spirituality” serves merely as a cover.
