The governments of Uganda and Rwanda have agreed to revive the Joint Permanent Commission that was last held 10 years ago as both countries seek to further strengthen ties.
According to a joint statement by both government, the Ugandan Foreign Affairs Minister, Gen Jeje Odongo has held bilateral diplomatic and political consultations with his Rwandan counterpart, Dr.Vincent Biruta in Kigali.
“The diplomatic and political consultations between the ministers of foreign affairs is a continuation of the commitment of the heads of State to further deepen and strengthen the cordial bilateral relations between the two sister countries. Both ministers acknowledged the ongoing progress made so far to normalize bilateral relations,” the joint statement said in part.
“They reiterated their commitment to focus efforts on the mutual regional security and development issues that impact on the socio-economic welfare of the peoples of the two countries. “
According to the statement, the two ministers applauded the leadership of President Museveni and his Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame for their continued commitment towards reviving and strengthening of bilateral relations.
To this, the two ministers noted that Kagame’s visit to Uganda which was later reciprocated by Museveni’s attendance of the CHOGM 2022 in Kigali were a strong signal towards rejuvenated relations between the two neighbouring countries.
“The Ministers exchanged views on regional matters relating to security, trade, investment and strategic regional projection.”
Joint Permanent Commission.
According to the meeting, the two ministers agreed to work on reviewing and reviving bilateral cooperation in the different areas of interest by convening the next Joint Permanent Commission between Rwanda and Uganda.
“They agreed that the next Joint Permanent Commission will be hosted by the Republic of Rwanda by March 2023 and will focus on critical areas taking into consideration the outcomes of the last Joint Permanent Commission.”
The last Joint Permanent Commission was held in 2012.
Relations
The relations between the two neighbouring countries of Uganda and Rwanda have been at their lowest for the last six or so years.
This situation was characterized by accusations from both governments.
Having started off as a cold war, the frost relations became pronounced in 2019 with Rwanda closing its border with Uganda and stopping its citizens from crossing to Uganda.
Rwanda accused Uganda of being linked to hostile groups, including the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) — an armed rebel group operating in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and the Rwanda National Congress (RNC), which is a Rwandan Opposition group – all allegedly fighting Rwanda.
The Ugandan government dismissed the allegations as untrue.
On the other side, Uganda accused Rwanda of infiltrating its security agencies, with authorities saying some Rwandan security officials had direct and indirect contact with key strategic security personnel in Uganda who allegedly sent information outside of official channels to Rwanda, a claim the Kigali establishment always denied.
This state of affairs led to the arrest of a number of Ugandan security personnel as well as Rwandan citizens inside Uganda.
The Rwandan citizens would later be deported and Rwanda on the other side seemed to reciprocate the same.
The sour relations also saw officials from the Kigali establishment describe President Museveni as a bully.
However, speaking to French TV, France 24 in an exclusive prerecorded interview, Museveni dismissed the claims as unfounded.
“Well, a bully how? By doing what? I don’t agree with it. He should tell you how we are bullies,” Museveni said in response to a question by a journalist.
However, the tension was calmed when President Museveni sent Lt Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba who acts as the Commander Land Forces Senior Presidential Advisor on Special Operations to Kigali to speak to President Kagame.
The meetings were fruitful and led to the reopening of the border between the two countries.
Trade, whereas still low, resumed.
