In yet another attempt to patch up strained relations between Uganda and Rwanda, President Yoweri Museveni on Sunday sent a message to his Rwanda counterpart which has been described as “positive” by the latter.
The message was carried to Urugwiro Village, the office of the President of Rwanda, by the Uganda Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Mr Adonia Ayebare.
The Rwanda Presidency took to twitter on Sunday night and said, “President Kagame held a positive meeting with Ambassador Adonia Ayebare, President Museveni’s Special Envoy, who travelled to Kigali with a message regarding the two countries’ relationship.”
On his part, Mr Ayebare thanked Mr Kagame for warmly receiving him at Urugwiro village where he delivered a message from Mr Museveni.
Both parties didn’t disclose the particulars of what was discussed but this was the first public attempt by two countries to reach out to one another after the December 13 Kampala meeting which ended without an agreement.
Ugandan and Rwandan representatives said they would refer the matter to Presidents Museveni and Kagame to resolve.
The message from Museveni has come after a second round of talks between Uganda and Rwanda ended this month without the two countries reaching to an agreement about resolving their differences.
The meeting, which was part of the implementation of the Luanda peace deal signed in Angola in August, also ended without any joint communique issued to the media, an indication of lack of any concrete agreement.
Rwanda’s Minister for Regional Cooperation Olivier Nduhungirehe and Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Uganda Frank Mugambage led the Kigali team. Maj.Gen.Joseph Nzabamwita, the Secretary-general for the National Intelligence and Security Service, and Gen.Patrick Nyamvumba, the Minister for Internal Security, also formed the delegation.
On the Ugandan delegation was Foreign Affairs Minister Sam Kutesa, State Minister for Internal Affairs Obiga Kania and Deputy Attorney General, Mwesigwa Rukutana.
It also comprised the head of CMI, Brig.Abel Kandiho, his deputy, Col.CK. Asiimwe, ESO Director General Joseph Ocwet and Police Crime Intelligence Director Col. Chris Ddamulira.
The Rwanda border with Uganda at Gatuna has been closed since February which has disrupted social and economic lives of not just communities living around the border but also travel and national trade between the two countries.
Rwanda says Uganda supports armed groups that are attempting to overthrow the Kigali administration. Uganda denies this and accuses Kigali of infiltrating the country’s security agencies.
