Lt Gen Muhoozi came to Rwanda for three-day visit aimed at mending bilateral ties between the two neighbouring countries that deteriorated since 2017.
On the first day of his visit to Rwanda on Monday 14th March 2022, Lt Gen Muhoozi was received by Chargé d’Affaires at Uganda’s Embassy in Kigali, Anne Katusiime ; the Commandant of Republican Guard, Brigadier General Willy Rwagasana and the Spokesperson of Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), Col Ronald Rwivanga upon arrival at Kigali International Airport.
He was received by President Paul Kagame on the same day. On the second day, Lt Gen Muhoozi who is also the first born son of Uganda’s President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni visited Kigali Genocide Memorial where he paid homage to victims of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi laid there and other facilities including Kigali Arena.
In Rwandan culture, cows represent a very significant symbol of friendship and are considered part of the best wealth a person can ever possess.
In Rwanda, cows were the only token that would be given for dowry or as a present to a friend. Even today, a cow is still considered the best present one can ever give a beloved one. Be it a wedding, graduation or a birthday party, cow giving makes the occasion more colourful and real.
It is not the first time Kagame gives cows to the family of Museveni.
On 31st July 2011, President Kagame gave cows to his counterpart of Uganda, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni who was on a visit to Rwanda.
At the time, Museveni was joining Rwanda for a community work to build a school for Nine Year Basic Education in Kanombe. Museveni pledged a contribution worth US$300,000 for completion of the school.
Towards the end of the same year, President Paul Kagame who was in Uganda was given 20 cows by Museveni.
The recent donation of cows to Lt Gen Muhoozi is a great symbol evidencing that efforts to restore bilateral ties to normal are yielding good results.
Lt Gen Muhoozi was last in Rwanda on 22nd January 2022 for talks with President Kagame.
Rwanda, Uganda relations worsened since 2017.
In March 2019, the Government of Rwanda officially advised citizens not to travel to Uganda for their security following testimonies of over 1000 Rwandans tortured and deported from Uganda.
Gatuna border was also closed in 2019 following Rwanda’s concerns over Uganda’s support to dissidents intending to threaten its security and series of arrests of Rwandans incarcerated illegally in the country.
Political analysts say that recent discussions with President Kagame have bore fruits leading to a step further towards restoring relations to normal.
Following the visit, Rwanda announced that Gatuna border connecting the country to Uganda would reopen effective from 31st January 2022 following the country’s willingness to address issues raised by Rwanda.
The move was followed by the reopening of all land borders on 7th March 2022.
Passengers crossing to Uganda are required to present different travel documents including Passport and Laissez – Passer.
The country has also requested passengers living far from the borders to present negative COVID-19 PCR Test Results. However, residents nearby the borders with Uganda are allowed to present Rapid Test.
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