Top military officers from Uganda and Rwanda meet over cross-border security

Top officials from the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) are in Uganda for a series of meetings to discuss transnational crime.

The three-day event, organised by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), aimed at strengthening border security and combating transnational crime and began on Thursday, August 29, at the Las Vegas Hotel in Mbarara town.

Brigadier General Nelson Rwigema presents a gift to Ntungamo district chairman Samuel Mucunguzi on Thursday.

The deployment brings together senior commanders from the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Force (YPDF) and Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) divisions.

Brigadier General Nelson Rwigema, the commander of the RDF’s Second Division, leads the delegation in Kigali, while the Ugandan team Through Brigadier General Paul Muhanguzi, commander of the Second Division.

According to a press briefing by Major Kiconco Tabaro, spokesperson of the 2nd Division of the UPDF, participants in the cross-border talks included Brigadier General Emmanuel Shilling, the Ugandan Defence Attaché to the Republic of Rwanda, and Colonel Emmanuel Luzindana, the Defence Advisor of the Republic of Rwanda to the Republic of Uganda.

Brigadier General Nelson Rwigema in conversation with district chairman Nelson Nshangabashaija Kabale.

The other categories are intelligence officers and unit commanders at various operational and tactical levels in both countries.

Before leaving for Mbarara, the RDF delegation travelled by road via the Katuna border and met with local authorities in Ntungamo and Kabale districts, which border Rwanda.

Brig. Muhanguzi explained that the primary objective of the meeting is to enhance cooperation between the armed forces of both countries and devise effective strategies to address security challenges along the shared border.

“It is about prosperity for cross-border communities and regional prosperity of our countries,” he said in an interview.

Brig. Rwigema, addressing the leaders of Ntungamo and Kabale, expressed optimism about the outcomes of previous discussions, foreseeing positive implications for legal cross-border trade and the resolution of issues affecting border communities.

“The good relations between the two countries are illustrated by the increased interaction between the people of Uganda and Rwanda, including through communication and trade,” said Brig Rwigema.

“The good relationship between our people at the border explains why we need to work together. We are one and speak the same language. I can understand them and communicate in Rukiga dialect. I know that when I speak Kinyarwanda you people can understand my message. We are brothers and sisters to tour abanyabuzaaredeclared Brigadier General Rwigema, changing his language from English to Runyankore.

The Chairman emphasised the relationship between Uganda and Rwanda. light commercial vehicle Kabale District Governor Nelson Nshangabashija stressed the need for continued cooperation and mutual support to safeguard common interests.

He also stressed that the current improved relations have contributed to reducing crime along the border.

At the same meeting, Kabale District Commissioner Godfrey Nyakahuma congratulated the people of Rwanda and General Paul Kagame on their successful victory in the presidential elections, saying that the status quo that has been established will continue.

“We pledge to strengthen the strong ties so that we can now confront the big monster called imperialism and eradicate poverty. What we are doing now is to strengthen security as a foundation and facilitator for achieving other development challenges such as poverty. If you go to Katuna, you will appreciate the brotherhood between these two countries,” Nyakahuma said.

Ntungamo District Chairman Sam Mucunguzi thanked President Yoweri Museveni for creating an enabling environment for the two forces to meet and for developing strategies to improve security in the region.

Mucunguzi added that the restoration of relations between the two countries has contributed to the reduction of crime at the border.