On September 1, the Rwandan Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr Vincent Biruta, received his Ugandan counterpart, Gen Jeje Odongo, in Kigali.

 

According to a joint communiqué issued later, the two ministers held bilateral diplomatic and political consultations, as a continuation of the commitment of their respective countries Heads of States to further deepen and strengthen cordial bilateral relations.

 

“Both Ministers acknowledged the ongoing progress made so far to normalize bilateral relations. They reiterated their commitment to focus efforts on the mutual regional security and development issues that impact on the socio-economic welfare of the two countries” the statement read.

 

Dr Biruta and Gen Odongo expressed gratitude for the steps taken, so far, to renew good and cordial relations between the two sister countries and remain committed to see the people of both countries enjoying the full benefits of the cordial relations.

 

For more than four years, relations between Rwanda and Uganda had strained. Following a number of grievances by the former which the latter failed to address. The issues included Uganda’s support to terror groups like the Rwanda National Congress (RNC), and remnants of the genocidal army, FDLR and RUD-Urunana.

 

Between 2017 and 2021 hundreds of Rwandans were abducted and tortured by Ugandan security officials – mainly the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence under orders of former CMI chief Maj Gen Abel Kandiho, on allegations that they were spies. Some lost their lives in prisons, which prompted Rwanda to close its borders to protect its citizens.

 

In August 2019, President Paul Kagame and President Yoweri Museveni signed the Luanda Memorandum of Understanding in Angola. The two countries agreed to respect each other’s sovereignty, refrain from actions that destabilize the other’s territory, and resume “as soon as possible” cross-border activities.

 

Another Quadripartite Heads of State Summit, met at the Gatuna border in February, 2020, bringing together Kagame, Museveni, Angolan President João Lourenço and Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). There was no tangible outcome in regard to normalizing relations between the two countries.

 

However, in January 2022 Lt Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Senior Presidential Adviser on Special Operations and Commander of Land Forces of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) visited Rwanda. His visit was followed by the re-opening of the Gatuna/Katuna land borders between the two countries. There was hope.

 

What’s next?

 

Like the re-opening of the borders, these renewed talks create confidence that tensions between the two countries are subsiding. This raises hope for Ugandans and Rwandans that the relations that were frosty in the past are being amended.

 

Bilateral trade which had stalled because of the countries’ ‘cold war’ should be expected to improve after the re-opening of their common land border, and easing of Covid-19 restrictions.

 

 Rwanda needs Uganda. And Uganda needs Rwanda. The return to normalcy will be a positive for both countries.

 

According to Uganda’s Ministry of Trade, Uganda lost over $200 million in export earnings to Rwanda because of the border closure, leaving a major dent since formal exports to Rwanda averaged $16.6 million monthly in 2019.

 

Rwanda too being a landlocked country depended on the Northern Corridor route for trade using the Mombasa port. However, during the period of bad blood, Rwanda mainly depended on the port of Dar es Salaam for much of her inbound and outbound cargo, through what is commonly known as the Central Corridor.

 

The return of good and cordial relations could see the revival of stalled projects like the import, by Rwanda, of 400MW of electricity from Ethiopia and 30MW from Kenya, both through Uganda. The move aims at increasing electricity supply in the country, especially for industrial use.

 

Rwanda could also see the revival of projects agreed upon under the Northern Corridor Projects Initiative (NCPI). Most important is the extension of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) from Kampala to Kigali. Uganda had, without courtesy, ubruptltly shifted its priority to “a more economically viable line” - South Sudan, first.

 

Most importantly, the security and stability of the region will be enhanced by good neighborliness, which will improve other bilateral issues and free movement of goods and people in accordance with the East African Community Treaty and relevant protocols.