Uganda, Rwanda Sign Pact on Defense Cooperation

After years of hostilities that nearly led to a military confrontation between Uganda and Rwanda, the two countries have now signed an agreement on military cooperation, further confirmation that the relations between the two nations continue to blossom. 

The agreement between the UPDF and RDF was signed by the Chiefs of Military Intelligence - Maj Gen James Birungi and Brig Gen Vincent Nyakarundi.

The signing of the agreement was witnessed by Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba's military assistant Col Mcdans Kamugira among other senior CMI officers. The Rwandan team was also comprised of the RDF spokesperson Col Ronald Rwivanga and Rwanda's Defense Attaché to Uganda Col James Burabyo among others.

This followed a number of deliberations between the visiting RDF delation with Senior UPDF Officers led by the Commander Land Forces (CLF) Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba.

Following the signing of the defence pact, Gen Kainerugaba who is also the Senior Presidential Advisor for Special Operations hailed President Museveni and his Rwandan counterpart, President Kagame for revitalizing the alliance between the two brotherly forces.

"After 4 days of fruitful deliberations we have reached good resolutions on how to work together. Once again, I thank our two great Presidents @KagutaMuseveni and @PaulKagame on revitalising our strong alliance! Viva UPDF! Viva RDF!" Gen Kainerugaba tweeted.

The Rwandan military delegation arrived in Uganda last week and was received by Gen Kainerugaba.

Brig Nyakarundi who led the RDF delegation is the Director of the Rwandan Military Intelligence. On Friday last week, he joined his Ugandan counterpart Maj Gen Birungi in a lecture of opportunity to scholars at the Senior Command and Staff College in Jinja at the behest of the CLF.

Speaking to the scholars, the two chiefs emphasized the importance of military cooperation in combating common regional and global security threats such as terrorism.

The latest developments come after President Paul Kagame's visit to Uganda recently where the Rwandan leader attended Gen Kainerugaba's Birthday Dinner at State House Entebbe. Gen Kagame also held meetings with his Ugandan counterpart, President Museveni.

Relations between Uganda and Rwanda have continued to improve since Gen Kainerugaba's first visit to Rwanda in January this year. 

After his second trip to Kigali in March, Gen Kainerugaba said in a tweet that the relations with Rwanda will become even better.

Recently the CLF again noted through his Twitter handle that "there was a terrible conspiracy amongst some people in the security services that wanted us to go to war with our brothers in Rwanda. Their biggest catastrophe is that President @KagutaMuseveni appointed me CLF. Once I discovered this conspiracy, I reported to the President." 

Uganda and Rwanda share strong historical links with several families in Uganda having relatives in Rwanda and vice versa.

It is also important to note that Rwandans including President Kagame participated in Uganda's 1981-85 liberation struggle while Uganda supported the Rwandans to defeat the genocidal regime later on.