Rwanda-Uganda: Amending frosty relations
The Story
Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame arrived in Uganda on Sunday, his first visit to the country in four years, as the two East African countries mend their frosty relations.
What’s the purpose of the visit?
According to the Ugandan high commission in Kigali, Kagame was on “a private visit”. The high commission added that Muhoozi Kainerugaba (the Ugandan president’s son) and security minister Jim Muhwezi were among the senior government officials who received the Rwandan president.
What’s their frosty relation about?
The two countries had a fall out over mutual accusations of espionage, abductions and support for rebels. Significant among the issues is the reported presence on Ugandan soil of rebels seeking to topple Kagame, including members of the banned opposition group Rwanda National Congress (RNC), who are fierce Kagame critics.
How did they reach a truce?
Kainerugaba played an important role in repairing Kampala’s hostile relations with Kigali, including holding talks with Kagame, talks that led to a reopening of the Uganda-Rwanda land border in January, after three years of closure. Kainerugaba has had a cordial relationship with Kagame, and once referred to the Rwandan president as “my uncle” on Twitter.
