Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni who uses calculative words while commenting on very sensitive matters has referred to Rwanda border closure as a “hiccup” which will not disrupt trade.
This is the second time Museveni publicly talks about Rwanda, a matter he had chosen to ignore amid a barrage of claims instigated by counterpart President Paul Kagame who a number of times has been quoted in both local and international media.
“Even if the border is closed, trade will go on, only that it will be through smuggling. You can’t stop trade through border administration. People resort to smuggling. Others have resorted to export a lot of things to South Sudan, DR Congo, Kenya Tanzania etc,” he said.
Museveni made the revelation Wednesday as he delivered an opportunity lecture to 17 high ranking military officials from 11 countries including USA, UK, Germany, Netherlands, Bolivia at Masindi State Lodge, Masindi.
The team led by Rear Admiral Ross Albon from UK Royal College of Defence Studies has been in the country for a one-week study tour of Uganda about ‘Uganda’s Geo Politics and Economic Development’.
Museveni is in Bunyoro sub-region sensitizing Ugandans on the government projects and also touring and commissioning many schemes established by the regime.
Most of these programs are aiming at fighting poverty.
In February, President Kagame’s government closed its border at Gatuna/Katuna following heaps of accusations that Uganda was harassing, torturing and arresting Rwandans crossing into the country.
It later emerged that Rwanda claims Uganda is hosting and supporting elements who target to overthrow Kagame from leadership.
Three months later, the border remains closed as Ugandan goods are not allowed in Rwanda while its citizens are barred from traveling to Uganda.