US Advises On Uganda, Rwanda Dispute

Uganda and Rwanda are positive forces for peace, security and economic growth of the region, the Assistant Secretary for African Affairs in the State Department, Tibor Nagy has said.

   

Nagy, who is on a visit to Uganda, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Cameroon, says regional security is important for both countries, saying they have both experienced the turbulence in the Eastern DRC.      

He argues that Uganda and Rwanda are longtime friends, who can talk and come to a solution on whatever conflict they have. Nagy said this at a press conference at Serena conference he addressed jointly with the US Ambassador to Uganda, Deborah R. Malac.   

He was responding to questions from journalists on the heightened relations between Rwanda and Uganda. Nagy, who met President Museveni on Friday, said although he was scheduled to meet Rwandan President, Paul Kagame he isn’t in the region as a mediator or special envoy, but said as US they support peace and democracy.  

He said they encourage the two countries to discuss the disputes between them, since they have known each other for long.

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Tension between Uganda and Rwanda has been growing in the recent past. It climaxed with Rwanda’s closures of Gatuna and Chanika borders under the guise of working on the One Stop Border Post at Gatuna.   

But while debate raged on about the sudden decision, Rwanda cautioned its nationals against travelling to Uganda. Rwandan ministers accused Uganda of illegally detaining their nationals, enforcing the deportation of hundreds and denying others entry.     

A top Rwandan official also appeared in the media accusing Uganda of harboring Rwandan dissidents with intentions of destabilizing their country. 

On Saturday, Kagame reiterated the same position, saying Uganda isn’t safe for Rwandans except for those plotting to destabilize Rwanda.  

He explained that Uganda has refused to take action against dissidents, even when presented with concrete evidence. 

Kagame spoke about the sour relationship between the two countries at the 16th National Leadership Retreat at Rwanda Defense Forces (RDF) Combat Training Center in Gabiro, Eastern Province.    

Uganda has repeatedly denied hosting Rwandan dissidents and picking up its citizens, saying those locked up arrest are criminals just like any other, saying no Rwandan has been targeted.  

Uganda has also issued travel advisories to the business community transporting goods to Rwanda to consider exiting into Rwanda through Miriama Hills and Cyanika Customs Border Post while goods in transit to Democratic Republic of Congo-DRC should exit via customs border posts shared by both countries.