The Ugandan Senior Presidential Advisor for Special Operations Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba is back in Kigali on what is believed to be a follow-up visit after his two earlier visits in January and March this year.
This is Gen MK’s first foreign trip after his promotion to the rank of General. The visit also follows conclusion of his tour of duty as Commander Land Forces of the UPDF.
It is understood that Gen Kainerugaba’s third visit this year is part of continued efforts to fully restore bilateral ties between Rwanda and Uganda.
Before he traveled to Kigali, Gen Kainerugaba tweeted a message of assurance about Uganda’s commitments to Rwanda.
“I might not be CLF anymore but our commitments to Rwanda are unchanged! Any threat to Rwanda is a threat to Uganda,” Gen Kainerugaba tweeted before adding that he would be happy to return to “the land of our ancestors.”
Gen Kainerugaba arrived at Kigali International Airport (KIA) on Saturday afternoon aboard Uganda Airlines in the company of veteran journalist Andrew Mwenda who is also known old friend of President Kagame.
Other members of Gen Kainerugaba’s delegation include his Military Assistant Col Mcdans Kamugira, renowned farmer Dr Barnabas Taremwa and Mr Alexander Mukonzi among others.
Gen Kainerugaba and his team were received by the Commander of the Rwandan Republican Guard Maj Gen Willy Rwagasana and the Rwanda Defence Forces Spokesman Brig Gen Ronald Rwivanga.
No details of the visit have been shared yet but it is understood that the former Ugandan Commander of Land Forces was invited by President Kagame whom he fondly refers to as his uncle in his tweets. Kainerugaba, who was recently promoted to the rank of General, the highest in the UPDF, has always declared his admiration for the Rwandan President.
“I miss my wise and great uncle! I will take a holiday on his farm. Graze Inyambo cattle and learn from him,” Gen Kainerugaba said in his last tweet about the Rwandan President.
At the State Dinner for his birthday at State House Entebbe, Gen Kainerugaba likened President Kagame’s military and leadership qualities to Gen Salim Saleh, justifying his reference to the Rwandan leader as his uncle.
Gen Kainerugaba has been credited for his role as the peacemaker between Rwanda and Uganda with the Rwandan President saying at the Entebbe dinner that great Generals are not the ones who win battles but those who win peace.
Since his initial visit to Kigali, remarkable progress regarding bilateral relations has been made including the reopening of the Gatuna One Stop Border Post on January 31, a move hailed by the East African Community and the African Union.
However, despite the resumption of free movement of people and trade, it is reported that there are still some limitations on the movement of Ugandan cargo tucks by Kigali authorities. This is expected to form part of the discussions between the Ugandan delegation and the Rwandan President.
