President Yoweri Museveni and his Rwanadan counterpart Paul Kagame have cleared the air about media reports and social media talk that they were not in good terms.
The reports started last month when President Kagame missed an important meeting that was attended by all East African Presidents in Kampala, and last week, when Museveni also cancelled a trip to Rwanda at the last minute, for a AU summit.
But on Sunday morning, the duo held bilateral talks at state house Entebbe, before holding a joint press conference later in the afternoon. Kagame was here on a one day working visit.
The Rwandan President according to communication from state house, briefed President Museveni on the recent AU summit in Kigali that resulted into signing of the African Continental Free Trade Area by AU member countries, paving way for the creation of one African market.
The duo also discussed the railway line works, electricity supply, airline operations and security between the two countries and the region.
While addressing the joint press conference, President Museveni stressed the need for close cooperation between intelligence services of different countries in order to get facts and secure the region.
He explained that there was no fundamental conflict between Rwanda and Uganda adding that security agencies of the two countries must cooperate, make use of technology to solve security matters.
“A girl was recently kidnapped and killed and the suspect was in South Africa. I personally called President Ramaphosa and action was taken. People and countries involved in such matters must work closely” Museveni said.
He added that it was beneficial for Rwanda and Uganda to cooperate in other areas like trade and infrastructure development as a way of fostering Uganda-Rwanda relations.
“Rwanda has Gas; we have iron ore. Why should we import steel from Singapore? The ministry of planning should consider developing such a project with Rwanda” President Museveni added.
On his part, President Kagame commented on the refugees’ influx from DRC to Uganda, saying that the solution was for the DRC to cooperate with the UN that has been in the country for decades.
“DRC is a big concern to everyone starting with the neighbors particularly Uganda. What we are seeing is a regional, continental and an international matter. This was part of our discussion with president Museveni to see how best to help. The UN has been there for decades but we see no results” Kagame commented.
He also said concerned institutions should explain why Ugandans are losing job contracts.
