The Heads of State Summit in a bid to normalise ties between Rwanda and Uganda held at Katuna border on Friday February 21st 2020.
Presidents Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and Paul Kagame of Rwanda have been joined by Angolan President João Lourenço and his Congolese counterpart Félix Tshisekedi.
The meeting includes review and discussion of feedback from Uganda following a Note Verbale from Kigali dispatched on February 15.
Rwandan Minister of State for Regional Cooperation, Olivier Nduhungirehe, last week said Uganda must “refrain from all actions intended to destabilize Rwanda; eliminate all factors that create such perception; withdraw the passport issued by Ugandan government to RNC’s head of diplomacy, Charlotte Mukankusi and prevent her from traveling to Uganda.”
“Kigali demands action be taken by Uganda, including disbanding” RNC (Rwanda National Congress), RUD-Uranana and arrest and extradite all its members to face justice in Rwanda.
RNC is led by exiled former Rwandan army chief, Gen Faustin Kayumba Nyamwasa while RUD-Urunana is a splinter group of FDLR, a militia whose leadership is accused of committing the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
Nduhungirehe also demanded that Uganda fires State Minister for Regional Cooperation Philemon Mateke, CMI boss Brigadier Abel Kandiho, Internal Security Organisation (ISO) boss Col Kaka Bagyenda, 2nd Division Deputy Commander Brig Fred Karara, CMI Deputy Director in charge of Counter Terrorism Col Charles Asiimwe and Maj Fred Mushambo, whom he said are facilitating the work of RNC.
He claimed that the above mentioned Ugandan officials have been holding meetings with Rwandan rebels in Mbarara, western Uganda and recruiting fighters in refugee camps.
However, the new demand of firing of Ugandan security chiefs is said to have ruffled feathers among senior diplomats, especially from Angola, who said this had not originally been part of the demand.
Their Ugandan counterparts, nevertheless, kept calm and promised to address some of the demands. The two sides agreed to fulfill six conditions that will end hostility between the countries and eventually reopen the border.
According to a joint statement released by both governments, number one on the list of resolutions is finding out how many nationals of either nation are detained in each other’s prisons.
“Both parties committed to further verify the number and the status of nationals of either country detained in each other’s side and to report back through a Note Verbal in a three-weeks time,” reads the statement that was signed of by Mr Kuteesa and Mr Nduhungirehe.
The two nations are expected to protect and respect the human rights of nationals of either party among others.
