Rwanda Uganda military intelligence meeting signals more improved relations

 A delegation of Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) led by head of Military Intelligence Brigadier General Vicent Nyakarundi, is in Uganda to hold talks with their Ugandan counterparts.

According to a tweet posted by the UPDF Commander Land Forces and senior presidential advisor on special operations,  Lt Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba on Thursday, he said that, "Yesterday, I was honoured to receive a senior delegation of our RDF brothers, led by Brigadier General Nyakarundi, Director of DMI. The relations and close cooperation between UPDF and RDF continue to grow.”

The meeting by RDF and UPDF intelligence chiefs, is yet another sign of efforts to normalize bilateral relations, after the two countries spent more than three years of strained relations.

In another recent tweet, Lt. Gen. Muhoozi revealed that there was a terrible conspiracy among some people in Uganda’s security services that wanted Uganda and Rwanda to go to war. "There was a terrible conspiracy amongst some people in the security services that wanted us to go to war with our brothers in Rwanda. Their biggest catastrophe is that President KagutaMuseveni appointed me CLF. Once I discovered this conspiracy, I reported to the President." 

The meeting of intelligence chiefs takes place after Lt. Gen. Muhoozi visited Rwanda on two occasions and held talks with Rwandan president Paul Kagame on issues that led to strained relations. On Sunday, April 24, President Kagame paid a visit to Uganda after more than four years, where he attended a dinner in honour of Lt. Gen. Muhoozi at his 48^th birthday. During the visit, Presidents Kagame and Museveni held bilateral talks on a number of issues including regional peace, stability and cooperation, according to a statement from Uganda State house.

When intelligence chiefs meet, usually, it is expected that they share intelligence on security threats between the two countries. Rwanda has for years complained that several armed terror groups like: RNC, FDLR and RUD-Urunana, operated in Uganda with the support of security organs especially   the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) under Major Gen. Abel Kandiho. It is important to note that since his meeting with President Kagame, Lt. Gen. Muhoozi vowed to fight those who are using Ugandan soil to destabilize Rwanda.

In February, 2022, Gen. Muhoozi told off Kayumba Nyamwasa not to dare use Uganda for his adventures. “General Kayumba and RNC, I don’t know what problems you had in Rwanda with the mainstream RPF/RDF? But I warn you not to dare use my country for your adventures,” Muhoozi tweeted. “This is not about political points. I have no interest in politics. The illegal and criminal activities of RNC in Uganda in the past were driving us to a stupid war! All those who were involved in that deceitful enterprise will be found out!” Muhoozi added.

In April, Lt Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba once again warned Kayumba Nyamwasa against disrespecting the sovereignty of Uganda.  “General Kayumba, please try to respect the Republic of Uganda. We have made peace with Afande Kagame and Rwanda. Try and respect that. We sent you your man last night,” Muhoozi tweeted after deporting RNC official Robert Mukombozi to Australia.

“I don’t like doing this, but if it saves the lives of my soldiers, I will do anything. I thank CMI, under Maj.General Birungi for this excellent operation. This enemy of Uganda and Rwanda was picked up and sent back to wherever he came from,” Gen Muhoozi revealed. Some social media commentetors in Rwanda wondered why Mukomboozi was not sent to Rwanda.

True to his word to president Kagame, Lt.Gen. Muhoozi proved to be a man of action in dealing with Rwandan terror groups operating in Uganda. Recently, another RNC agent who works for Uganda Media Centre, Obed Katureebe was arrested. However, there are still RNC networks that are still active and need to be dismantled.  The networks are run by notorious RNC agents like Sula Nuwamanya, Prossy Bonabaana, Pastor Deo Nyirigira and others.  It is clear that under Lt. Gen. Muhoozi’s watch, the days are numbered of such Rwandan terror networks which have been using Uganda as their base for recruitment and training.  

The intelligence chiefs meeting between Rwanda and Uganda in Kampala comes following the visit by Congolese Chief of Intelligence in Uganda on Monday May, 9. Maj Gen Mbandiangu of the Congolese Army (FARDC) and his delegation held talks with their Uganda counterparts led by the UPDF Chief of Military Intelligence Maj Gen James Birungi, according to Kampala post news website.  

Maj Gen Mbandiangu,  said the meeting was  an opportunity to update themselves on the joint operations the two countries are engaged in, particularly Operation Shujaa in Eastern DRC against the Allied Democratic Forces terrorists.

Since many armed groups in Eastern DRC have networks in Uganda including those that want to distabilise Rwanda, the Rwanda-Uganda intelligence chiefs meeting is also likely to tackle regional security challenges and  joint efforts to uproot the armed elements operating in Eastern DRC, as recommended by East African(EAC) Heads of State meeting in Nairobi on April 21. Following the admission into the East African community, the EAC Heads of State summit agreed to set up a regional military force bent on ending decades of insecurity in eastern DRC, caused by militia groups.