The Rwandan government has said, there have been significant headways towards restoring relationships with Uganda.
This happened after the Saturday meeting between President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Commander of the Land Forces (CLF) in Uganda.
Muhoozi tourched base in Rwanda on Saturday afternoon to meet with President Paul Kagame in a meeting said to be key in restoring relationship between the two East African Nations.
In a Twitter message by the State House – Rwanda, there is optimism that the two countries may normalize relationships.
“President Kagame and General Muhoozi @mkainerugaba had cordial, productive and forward looking discussions about Rwanda’s concerns and practical steps needed to restore the relationship between Rwanda and Uganda.” read the statement on Twitter.
Uganda and Rwanda have for the past three years had bad relationships that led to the closure of the Rwanda – Ugandan border in Gatuna three years ago. Uganda lost taxes of more that USD 200 million in goods blocked at the Rwanda – Ugandan border while several citizens in both countries were shot dead at the same place (Border).
Both countries accused one another of spying on the leadership of Presidents Yoweri Museveni and Paul Kagame.
Media reports late last year also indicated that President Paul Kagame also used Isreal spying software known as Pegasus to spy on top Ugandan officials including the then Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda and then Chief of Defense Forces Gen David Muhoozi.
Well as there have been prior negotiations between the two countries, there hadn’t yielded results until recently when General Muhoozi Kainerugaba posted on his Twitter handle expressing love for his “uncle” President Paul Kagame.
In the tweet, Gen Muhoozi indicated that whoever attacks President Kagame would be attacking his family which would be unacceptable.
Later, Uganda’s Permanent representative in the United Nations Adonia Ayebare visited President Kagame delivering President Museveni “special message” to the Rwandan counterpart.
Both President Yoweri Museveni and Paul Kagame share unique history. President Kagame before the Rwandan Invasion served as a Spy chief in Uganda. Uganda later supported forces led by Paul Kagame and late Gen Fred Gisa Rwigyema to reclaim power in Rwanda.
Both countries have also fought in the Democratic Republic of Congo in what is termed as the “Battles of Kisangani”.
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