Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Moscow recently.

Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Moscow recently.

Uganda’s foreign affairs spokesman, Fred Opolot on Thursday said ties with Russia remain unchanged in spite of the Western imposed sanctions on Russia over the reunification with Crmiea.

“The diplomatic relationship between Kampala and Moscow has not changed at all, the reason being [that] Uganda has a clear position of non-involvement in internal matters of a legitimate state,” said Opolot.

Opolot’s comments came after U.S. President Barack Obama announced a series of expanded sanctions against Russia over its annexation of the Crimean peninsula.

He also said that government is prepared to provide assistance to its citizens affected by the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.

He said Uganda’s embassy in Moscow is monitoring the tense political situation in Ukraine after Russia officially made Crimea a part of that country’s federation.

He says the tense situation in Ukraine has not yet reached a point that would compel Kampala to bring its citizens back home.

“The situation currently warrants that there is no need to repatriate Uganda citizens from Ukraine,” said Opolot. “Those that will want to come back are mainly students, and those are the specific group that we are closely monitoring …if they really want to come back.”

His comments came after Uganda media reported that the government was preparing a repatriation effort.

Opolot denied the allegations. He said Uganda’s embassy in Russia that is also in charge of Ukraine has yet to officially receive any request from citizens to be sent home.

“Our ambassador in Moscow is strongly engaging with the Ugandans in Ukraine. And as far as [they are concerned], there is no need [for] repatriation back to Uganda.  As much as we are closely monitoring the situation, there is a continuous engagement with different groups including the Diaspora community and students in Ukraine, and as of now there is no need to bring them back home.”