Uganda and Rwanda military officials are holding a high profile meeting aimed at curbing border crime between both countries.
A three days meeting which started on May 28, 2024 in Nyagatare district, Nothern Province in Rwanda is being led by Major General Vincent Nyakarundi, Rwanda Defense Forces (RDF) Chief of Staff and Uganda Peoples Defense Forces (UPDF) 2nd Division Commander, Brigadier General Paul Muhanguzi.
Major Kiconco Tabaro, UPDF 2nd Division spokesperson says that the meeting is aimed at strengthening cooperation between armies of both countries as well as forging means of combating crimes and other forms of insecurity along the borderline.
Tabaro says that a delegation is also holding talks with political officials at border districts of Nyagatare and Gicumbi as well as heads of Gatuna border posts.
Speaking during the meeting on Wednesday, Nyakarundi hailed UPDF for the efforts it has put to preserve border security. “On behalf of the RDF leadership appreciate the UPDF steadfast efforts to preserve security and ensure coordination along our common borders as close neighbors, we must uphold our special relationship and address security challenges, “says Nyakarundi.
Muhanguzi expressed optimism that the talks will help boost legal cross border trade. ” I would like to thank the President of the republic of Uganda HE Yoweri Museveni and the President of the Republic of Rwanda for allowing us as proximity commanders to look into cross border security issues and be part of mechanism for resolving and bridging the gaps. This will facilitate the involvement of all stakeholders in finding solution to challenges that affect border communities, in fact this will boaster cross border trade once all the legal requirements are adhered to,” says Muhanguzi.
Uganda and Rwanda are steadily restoring relationship following the closure of the border between 2019-2022. In 2019, Rwandan President Paul Kagame ordered the closure of the border after accusing Ugandan authorities of spying on Rwanda, abducting Rwandan citizens and locking them in non-designated areas, as well as hosting and facilitating dissidents who have declared war on the Kigali administration.
Rwanda then issued a travel advisory to its nationals against traveling to Uganda, saying their safety was not guaranteed. At the time the border was closed, five Ugandans were shot dead by Rwanda security personnel on accusations of carrying out smuggling. On January 31, 2022, the Rwandan government resolved to re-open the border.
During the border closure, about six people both Ugandans and Rwandan nationals were shot dead by Rwandan security operatives over smuggling. Even after the border re-opened, traders on the Ugandan side accused Rwandan authorities of blocking some of the goods especially maize flour from crossing into their country. In December 2023, another high profile meeting was held in Uganda’s district of Kabale.
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