A promise is a promise. The Rwandan-Ugandan border of Gatuna has been reopened since very early in the morning of 31 January 2022 without any fanfare. Traffic has resumed after three years of closure following the dispute between the two states Rwanda and Uganda.
There is no need to go to Gatuna, Cyanika or Kagitumba to ensure that the Rwandan government has respected its commitments.
On the official Twitter account of Lieutenant General Muhoozi Kainerugaba a message, which could not be clearer, is delivered this morning. “I thank our great leaders, President Kaguta Museveni and Paul Kagame for the full opening of our borders! This is a wonderful achievement. Now our people can freely move, trade and interact as God Almighty always intended! God bless East Africa!”
General Muhoozi Kainerugaba is the Commander of the Land Forces of Ugandan Army (UPDF), Special Presidential Adviser on Special Duties and eldest son of the Ugandan Head of State, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
It is this personality, who is expected to be the future heir to power, who was received by President Paul Kagame on Saturday 23 January 2022. He had to give assurances about the security concerns of Rwandans living or travelling to Uganda. He gave assurances that support for the destabilising forces in the Land of a Thousand Hills would be stopped. For its part, Uganda accused Rwanda of espionage but without proving it.
Following this decisive session, Rwanda, for its part, committed itself to reopening the land borders separating the two countries. This has now been done.
For its part, Uganda dismissed Major General Abel Kandiho from military intelligence. He was accused of being the head of an institution that was too zealous against the security of Rwanda and Rwandans.
This is a significant gesture showing the political will to turn the page. Subsequent events will prove whether the Ugandan supreme authority really wants to prioritise the interests of two peoples united by a blood alliance and very close historical ties.
Gérard Rugambwa
