Here is the way forward on Uganda-Rwanda standoff
In government circles, a security clearance or eligibility for access to classified information is a status granted to individuals allowing them access to State secrets or to restricted areas, after completion of a thorough background check.
A clearance by itself is normally not sufficient to gain access; the State must also determine that the cleared individual needs to know specific information. No one is supposed to be granted automatic access to classified information solely because of rank, position, or a security clearance.
In the case of Uganda, a security clearance should ideally be granted to only those for whom an appropriate personnel security background investigation has been completed. It must be determined that the individual’s personal and professional history indicates loyalty to the Republic of Uganda, strength of character, trustworthiness, honesty, reliability, discretion, and sound judgment, as well as freedom from conflicting allegiances and potential for coercion, and a willingness and ability to abide by regulations governing the use, handling, and protection of classified information.
Eligibility should be granted only where facts and circumstances indicate access to classified information is clearly consistent with the national security interests of the Republic of Uganda. The same should hold for the Republic of Rwanda.
When it comes to security information gathering, it has become evident that some of the people charged with this key activity have dual loyalty hence end up compromising security of either Uganda or Rwanda. There is also a possibility of intentional misinformation by those concerned in either country to achieve other agenda. So multiple verification of security information is key before it can be relied upon for decision making. Countries like the US take security clearance seriously because it is core to national stability and wellbeing of a nation. That is why circumstances concerning security clearance for President Trump’s daughter and son-in-law are being taken seriously by the House of Representatives.
As much as Uganda and Rwanda share a lot of history, they are both independent sovereign states. It should be noted that key people in the Government of Rwanda, including President Paul Kagame, contributed to the National Resistance Army/Movement NRA/M struggle that saw President Museveni ascend to the presidency in 1986. In the same way, Uganda under the leadership of President Museveni supported the 1990-1994 the Rwanda Patriotic Front/Army (RPF/A) that liberated the country and ended the genocide against the Tutsi and moderate Hutus.
Many of the key people in the Rwandan government were either born in Uganda or grew up in Uganda and some still keep alternate homes and property in Uganda despite having returned to Rwanda.
It is common to find a family having some members as Ugandan citizens and others as Rwandans. It is also common to find some Rwandans and Ugandans holding passports and national Identity cards of both countries. In a way, Ugandans look at Rwandans as brothers and sisters and vice versa.
There has been a lot of informality in handling critical issues, including security matters by both Uganda and Rwanda. There is also need to have an open discussion on the contribution of both countries to NRA/M and RPF/A struggles and have an acceptable closure that may include some sort of compensation. At times, it is the spirit of ‘you owe’ that worsens relations between countries. That is why after World War II, some compensation by the then superpowers had to be made to countries that merited it.
Furthermore, due to the history (mainly military and security history) of Uganda and Rwanda alluded to above, some senior army and security officers would not qualify for a security clearance in either country. On another note, within the army in both Uganda and Rwanda, most of the officers that were part of the military struggles have since been retired or died.
This has given way to fresh military cadres with total loyalty to either Uganda or Rwanda, but not both to take up key positions. This needs to happen in other security agencies and key government positions in both countries.
Also there have been other incidents in the recent past such as the war in Kisangani, DR Congo in 2000 and failed attempted coup in Burundi in 2015 that brought up tensions and damaged relations between the two countries.
In view of the above, as part of resolving the current standoff between Uganda and Rwanda, each country needs to thoroughly re-assess the security clearance guidelines.
Due to the blood relationships of people living in Uganda and Rwanda, appointments to key positions should be made in either country after a thorough assessment of a person’s loyalty to the State, strength of character, trustworthiness, honesty, reliability, discretion, and sound judgment, as well as freedom from conflicting allegiances and potential for coercion, and a willingness and ability to abide by regulations governing the use, handling, and protection of classified information.
There is also need for each country to independently look into the claims that have led us to where we are today so that a long-term solution can be sought by both countries.
For the good of both Uganda and Rwanda, the East Africa Community, and the Great Lakes Region, presidents Museveni and Kagame need to meet without a mediator and resolve the issues surrounding the current standoff.
They know each other very well. Finally, a lot of informality in handling government business between Uganda and Rwanda should stop as this leads to misinformation in most cases. History has proven that most wars that were/ have been fought in the world were based on misinformation.
Prof Baryamureeba is a former Makerere University vice chancellor.
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