When, in late 2019, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, was asked by The Africa Report, an English-language monthly magazine focusing on African politics and economics, what he considers his legacy, Museveni, among other things, listed regional integration: “Integration – we are the ones who insisted on it.”

Why then, The Africa Report asked, was Uganda not doing more to heal the rift with Rwanda, as it is disrupting trade and regional projects?

A pause, then a smile with an uncharacteristically brief response. “No. Those are hiccoughs, but the direction of the integration is correct.”

What is the cure for the hiccoughs? Another smile and more pauses.“There’s always medicine for hiccoughs. You drink some water. We shall find a solution.” Museveni then concluded: “We’ll deal with Rwanda confidentially – not through journalists.”

So much has happened since October 2019. But so little changed as regards Museveni’s stance on Rwanda and its leadership.

Museveni was furious

Fast forward to July 1, 2021.

According to a senior government official in Kampala, Museveni was "furious" when Rwanda's Prime Minister, Dr Edouard Ngirente, on July 1, received a warm welcome in Bujumbura, Burundi.

Rwanda-Burundi relations have been strained for more than five years. But a rapprochement is steadily taking shape ever since President Evariste Ndayishimiye took power in Burundi, following the sudden death of his predecessor, Pierre Nkurunziza, mid last year.

"For years now, despite all the denials, Museveni has overtly and covertly sabotaged trade and development plans by Rwanda. His latest scheme has been to politically and economically isolate Rwanda in addition to supporting rebel groups opposed to Kagame’s government," a senior Ugandan government official, who preferred anonymity, said.

"He (Museveni) has been doing everything he can, including the plans he announced to build roads in Burundi and the DRC purportedly to spur regional trade yet the real agenda is his silent war with the Rwandan leadership. Remember, recently, a plane was sent to bring Ndayishimiye for Museveni’s swearing in ceremony in Kampala? Everything is on purpose. And now he is furious. He does not want Burundi having good relations with Rwanda," the Ugandan official said.

Dr Ngirente travelled to Bujumbura to represent President Paul Kagame on the occasion of the 59th Independence anniversary of Burundi.

As the Ugandan official revealed, this angered the Ugandan leader who - after ruthlessly securing a sixth five-year term - is pulling all strings not only to sabotage and isolate Rwanda, but is also plotting for regime change in Kigali.

On arrival in Bujumbura, Dr Ngirente was received by Prosper Bazombanza, the Vice-President of Burundi.

Much to Museveni's annoyance, President Ndayishimiye even publicly acknowledged and welcomed the Rwandan Prime Minister, during the celebrations.

"I know that today every Burundian is happy because our neighbours from Rwanda are here to support us,” Ndayishimiye said before inviting Dr. Ngirente to speak.

There was applause.

"I would like to reiterate Rwanda’s commitment to work with you to strengthen our strategic partnership for the benefit of our two peoples. I am convinced that we are both ready to work for the consolidation and promotion of existing relations of friendship and cooperation," Dr Ngirente said, standing next to President  Ndayishimiye.

Another round of applause.

He added: "This is the right time for Burundi and Rwanda to build on our existing strong foundation of historical and cultural linkages in order to achieve prosperity and development."

After Dr Ngirente’s address, President Ndayishimiye also noted that the time has come for the two countries to open a new page.

“There is a chapter that we have been writing, but I hope it is time for us to open up a fresh page... Let us leave the past behind, and open a new chapter,” the Burundian Head of State said.

He described Dr Ngirente's historic visit as a symbol of political will, on the part of Rwanda, to restore good relations.

Back to Museveni's fury.

For years, Museveni has sponsored terror groups, including the Rwanda National Congress (RNC) - blamed for the spate of grenade attacks that killed people in Kigali between 2010 and 2013 - to destabilize Rwanda and failed but his plotting continues, as indicated by reports of an intensified recruitment drive in Uganda by groups intent on destabilising Rwanda. The latter is an indication that Museveni has not changed stance during his new term of office.

His fury over the Rwanda-Burundi rapprochement, analysts say, is not hard to understand as he was banking on their bad relations to continue to undermine Kigali. Once the two countries fully resolve their differences, Museveni will have lost an ally in his anti-Kagame agenda.

Like he has tried, and failed with the DRC, his grand scheme to economically, politically and militarily isolate, sabotage and bring Rwanda to its knees is crumbling.