Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has held talks with Rwandan President Paul Kagame in Kigali, in a high-profile meeting that underscores the continued improvement in relations between the two neighbouring countries after years of diplomatic and security tensions.
The meeting took place during Muhoozi’s two-day official visit to Rwanda, where he was received at Kigali International Airport by the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) Chief of Defence Staff, General Mubarak Muganga.
While neither side disclosed detailed outcomes of the discussions, officials described the meeting as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen defence cooperation and maintain dialogue on regional security matters.
Muhoozi’s visit is the latest sign of warming relations between Kampala and Kigali following several years of strained diplomatic ties.
Relations between Uganda and Rwanda deteriorated sharply between 2017 and 2021, with both governments accusing each other of supporting hostile groups, espionage and unlawful detention of each other’s nationals.
The dispute culminated in Rwanda closing the Gatuna/Katuna border crossing in February 2019, severely disrupting trade, travel and cross-border business between the two countries.
The closure affected thousands of traders and transporters, with exports and imports between Uganda and Rwanda declining significantly during the period.
Muhoozi has played a central role in efforts to restore diplomatic relations between the two countries.
In January 2022, he travelled to Kigali as a special envoy of President Yoweri Museveni, holding discussions with President Kagame aimed at rebuilding trust.
Those engagements paved the way for the reopening of the Gatuna border later that month after nearly three years of closure.
Since then, Uganda and Rwanda have resumed regular high-level diplomatic, military and economic engagements, with both governments expressing commitment to improving cooperation.
Political analysts say Muhoozi has increasingly become one of the principal channels of communication between the leadership in Kampala and Kigali.
Uganda and Rwanda are both key contributors to regional peace and security initiatives within the East African Community (EAC) and the African Union (AU).
The two countries also share concerns over instability in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where numerous armed groups continue to operate despite regional military efforts.
Uganda has deployed troops in eastern DRC under Operation Shujaa, a joint military operation with the Congolese armed forces targeting the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), while Rwanda has repeatedly expressed concerns over insecurity along its western border.
Although Kampala and Kigali have occasionally differed in their approaches to eastern Congo, both governments publicly support regional efforts aimed at restoring stability.
Military cooperation between Uganda and Rwanda has steadily improved since diplomatic relations normalised.
Defence analysts say such engagements help reduce misunderstandings between neighbouring countries while strengthening mechanisms for managing shared security challenges.
The meeting between Muhoozi and Kagame is expected to reinforce communication between the two militaries at a time when regional security remains complex.
Rwanda is one of Uganda’s important regional trading partners, importing a range of products including foodstuffs, manufactured goods and construction materials.
The reopening of border crossings restored important transport routes linking Uganda with Rwanda, Burundi and eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
Business organisations in both countries have welcomed the restoration of normal trade flows, saying improved diplomatic relations have reduced transport costs and encouraged cross-border investment.
Beyond his military responsibilities, Muhoozi has increasingly taken on a visible diplomatic role in Uganda’s regional engagements.
In recent years, he has met several African heads of state and senior military commanders, often discussing defence cooperation, regional security and bilateral relations.
His visits have drawn attention because of his close relationship with President Museveni and his growing influence within Uganda’s security establishment.
Supporters argue that his engagement has helped strengthen regional cooperation, while critics have questioned the extent of military involvement in diplomatic affairs. Ugandan authorities maintain that such engagements are conducted with the approval of the country’s leadership and are intended to advance national interests.
Muhoozi is expected to conclude his two-day visit following engagements with senior Rwandan officials.
While no major agreements have been announced publicly, both governments have indicated that discussions focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation and enhancing coordination on regional peace and security.
The visit reinforces the significant improvement in Uganda-Rwanda relations since 2022 and signals continued political commitment from both Kampala and Kigali to maintain dialogue after years of diplomatic tensions.
