General Muhoozi Kainerugaba played a vital role in ensuring the reopening of the Gatuna-Katuna border with Uganda, says Rwandan President Paul Kagame.
President Paul Kagame of Rwanda has hailed Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba saying he played a vital role in ensuring the reopening of the Gatuna-Katuna border with Uganda.
“If bringing Uganda and Rwanda together needed you (Muhoozi) to be in the midst of it, then thanks be God,” Kagame made the remarks while on a special visit to Uganda to honor the birthday of Gen Muhoozi who was celebrating 48 years on earth.
For years the relationship between the two nations has been parallel with Rwanda going an extra mile in 2019 to even close its Gatuna-Katuna border crossing to Uganda and vice versa.
Responding to the closure in 2020, President Kagame accused Uganda of harbouring persons who posed security threats to Rwanda.
Partly he also indicated Rwandan nationals in Uganda were being mistreated and harassed although these allegations were denied by the Ugandan government
The border was, however, reopened earlier this year after the intervention of the commander of land forces Muhoozi who held peace talks on Uganda’s behalf with Mr Kagame.
Speaking about the recent misunderstandings, however, Kagame mentioned that the first son went through a number of his friends to reach him but when he did, he (Kagame) knew that whatever message he (Muhoozi) had brought before him was not from him but rather sent.
“Muhoozi went through friends, got my telephone number, sent me a message and we talked. I accepted. He then asked, can I visit you, I said come,” Kagame revealed during the State dinner to celebrate Muhoozi’s 48th birthday,” Kagame said.
“I was absolutely aware and convinced that even in my strongest belief in Muhoozi, the President of Uganda (his father) definitely must have been behind the message. I was not under any illusion that this was Muhoozi operating on his own,” he added.
He however, revealed that despite all those misunderstandings that also brought about the border closure, he has always known that the disagreements with Uganda are temporary.
“We are having difficulties between our countries but I was always convinced these were going to be temporary. The ties that bind us are deep,” Kagame added further congratulating Gen Muhoozi upon reaching 48 years on earth.
Meanwhile, President Museveni tweeted saying that as part of the birthday celebrations, he also held discussions with Mr Kagame about regional differences.
“I also held bilateral talks with H.E President Paul Kagame on a number of issues, especially on regional peace, stability and cooperation,” Museveni said adding that President Kagame and his first son have for long been close friends.
