Museveni’s envoy meets Kagame over peace talks
Uganda’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Adonia Ayebare, with Rwandan President Paul Kagame in Kigali, Rwanda, on Sunday. Courtesy photo
What you need to know:
- 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.
In yet another attempt to patch up strained relations between Uganda and Rwanda, President Yoweri Museveni on Sunday sent a message to his Rwandan counterpart which has been described as “positive” by Kigali administrators.
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.
On Twitter, the Rwanda Presidency said on Sunday that: “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 me at Urugwiro village this evening where I delivered a message from Kaguta 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 ended without an agreement.
Ugandan and Rwandan representatives said they would refer the matter to Presidents (Museveni and Kagame) to resolve it.
The Rwanda border with Uganda at Gatuna has been closed since February 2019 – which has seen trade between two countries tumble to near zero.
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.
