A viral video filmed by a Russian soldier has sparked alarm across East Africa after showing a group of African mercenaries recruited to fight in Russia’s war against Ukraine.
In the footage, the men are seen sitting together in a snow-covered area, singing in Swahili, a striking contrast that has fuelled intense online debate.
Social media users noted that their accents strongly suggest they are Ugandan.
Netizens quickly identified the song as “Omoto Ta Waka,” a resistance anthem historically associated with Uganda’s National Resistance Army (NRA) during the 1980–1986 bush war.
A Russian soldier films a large detachment of African mercenaries recruited to wage war against Ukraine.
Behind their backs, he comments in Russian that they are essentially disposable cannon fodder: “Look how many disposables are here.” pic.twitter.com/yBDE6jnypS
— Special Kherson Cat ??? (@bayraktar_1love) January 11, 2026
“This song was used to boost morale among NRA fighters during the bush war,” wrote X user Patrick Oyulu, who identified the men as Ugandans.
Others, however, argued that it was a Congolese accent, with many expressing disagreement.
The imagery, African men singing a historic liberation song while surrounded by snow in a foreign war zone, has underscored the growing concern that poverty and unemployment are pushing young Africans into distant conflicts.
The video prompted a strong reaction from Winnie Byanyima, wife of jailed Ugandan opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye, who urged the government to intervene.
“I am deeply saddened and alarmed that young Ugandans are being recruited by Russia to fight as mercenaries in Ukraine,” Byanyima said.
“Poverty and hopelessness have pushed them into this dangerous and dehumanising gamble. The NRM government must act to bring our sons back home.”
Concerns extend beyond Uganda, with reports confirming that Kenyans have also joined Russian fighting ranks, some after travelling abroad in search of employment and later finding themselves enlisted into the war.
Human rights groups warn that African recruits are often poorly trained and deployed in high-risk combat zones, raising fears over casualties and exploitation.
As of January 2026, the Kenyan government estimated that over 200 Kenyans are currently involved in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, primarily serving within the Russian military.
These individuals are largely believed to be victims of sophisticated human trafficking networks that lured them with promises of lucrative civilian jobs in sectors like drone manufacturing or construction.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, in a statement at the time, highlighted the gravity of the crisis in late 2025, stating that the situation is “extremely worrying” as many citizens find themselves on the front lines after being deceived by “fake job” schemes.
The diplomatic response intensified following reports of Kenyan nationals being wounded or captured, including high-profile cases of former athletes and security personnel appearing in Ukrainian prisoner-of-war videos.