Rwanda-Uganda toast to flourishing relations
Rutabana says the relationship between the two countries and their people predate the independence era.
Rwanda High Commissioner to Uganda Col. Joseph Rutabana (left) and senior presidential advisor Ambassador Mohamed Ahmed Kisule (right), toast during the 31st Liberation Day (Kwibohoro) of Rwanda dinner held at the Residence of Rwandan High Commissioner in Uganda at Kololo Hill in Kampala on Friday. (Courtesy photos)
By Nelson Kiva
Journalists @New Vision
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Rwanda-Uganda relations are at their best, Rwanda High Commissioner to Uganda Col. Joseph Rutabana has said.
Rutabana says the relationship between the two countries and their people predate the independence era.
“On March 22-24, 2023, our two ministries of foreign affairs carried out a very successful 11th session of the Uganda-Rwanda Joint Permanent Commission (JPC), which was held in Kigali.”
“In the last two years, many activities in that regard have taken place, especially in the migration and security sectors. Indeed, since the last Liberation Day celebrations in 2024, several bilateral engagements have taken place,” he said.
Ugandan government officials, diplomats, religious and business leaders join the Rwandan High Commissioner in Uganda, Col. Joseph Rutabana to cut the cake for 31st Liberation Day of Rwanda on Friday.
Rutabana indicates that Uganda's Chief of the Defence Forces (CDF), Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has visited Rwanda twice, while his Rwandan counterpart, Gen. Mubarakh Muganga, has done the same.
“Five proximity commander’s meetings have been conducted since the last JPC, both in Rwanda and Uganda bordering cities. Also, five meetings gathering together immigration, Police, army and intelligence officials took place since the last JPC and in both countries,” he says.
He added that on June 19, 2025, a high-level bilateral meeting took place at the bordering town of Nyagatare, in Rwanda bringing together governors from Rwanda’s eastern and northern provinces, that share borders with Uganda, alongside mayors, senior local government officials from Ugandan districts bordering Rwanda of Kisoro, Rukiga, Rubanda, Ntungamo and Kabale.
“The High Commission reiterates its appreciation and gratitude to the Government of Uganda for the good co-operation and facilitation they provide to us in the conduct of our diplomatic functions,” Rutabana says.
He made the remarks during the 31st Liberation Day (Kwibohora) of Rwanda commemoration dinner at his residence on Kololo Hill in Kampala city on July 4.
“Thirty-one years ago, on July 4, 1994, our country, Rwanda, was liberated, saved from collapsing as a state. This was a true liberation,” Rutabana said.
The event was graced by senior government officials, diplomats, senior military leaders, business and religious leaders.
Rutabana and chief guest senior presidential advisor Ambassador Mohamed Ahmed Kisule toasted to the good health and prosperity of Rwanda President Paul Kagame, his Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Museveni and the people of both nations.
According to Rutabana, despite Rwanda gaining independence on July 1, 1962, the post-colonial governments did not bring fundamental change to the lives of the people.
Rutabana accused past leaders of adding impetus to divisive and sectarian policies of the colonial masters.
“The first Republic led by President Gregoire Kayibanda, had no clear social project, instead, he became passionate about the segregation and marginalisation of the Tutsis, which led to their ultimate killings and forced exile,” he said.
His successor, President Juvenal Habyarimana, Rutabana said, continued to practice bad politics based on sustained segregation of the Tutsi but also to conspicuous sectarianism, favouritism and partisanship.
Former foreign minister, Sam Kutesa (right) greeting Rwandan High Commissioner in Uganda, Col. Joseph Rutabana, during the 31st Liberation Day of Rwanda at Kololo Hill in Kampala on Friday.
“The true liberation of our country and people was achieved on July 4, 1994, following the victory of the then Rwandese Patriotic Army (RPA). This date actually can be referred to as the rebirth of our nation, Rwanda,” Rutabana said.
Precolonial relationship
Rutabana said the relationship between the two countries and their people predate the independence era.
Rutabana added that during the JPC, the two ministers exchanged views on existing memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and discussed strategic areas of co-operation, including bilateral relations, infrastructure and cross-border trade, for the mutual benefit of both countries.
“Both ministers hailed the historic and warm relations that exist between the two countries and stressed the need to continue working together to enhance political, economic and social cooperation,” he said.
He added, to strengthen the state of bilateral relations between the two countries, the two ministers witnessed the negotiations and signing of MOUs in the areas of diplomatic and political consultation, migration justice and constitutionalism, and mutual legal assistance in criminal matters.
“They further called upon officials of both countries to ensure the expeditious and full implementation of decisions reached during this JPC and report progress made at the 12th session to be hosted by Uganda in 2025,” he said.
He reported that the implementation of the 11th JPC has been on the right track.
Kisule congratulated Rwanda saying, “Uganda joins the rest of the world to salute the gallant Rwanda Patriotic Army, along with countless fallen men and women, who against overwhelming odds overcame the dark forces that unleashed the most horrific period in Rwanda’s history, the 1994 Genocide, to liberate Rwanda from its oppressors”.
He celebrated that deep Uganda-Rwanda relations evidenced by the ease with which ‘our’ peoples move across our respective borders both for pleasure and for doing business.
“This should be encouraged even more. Uganda recognises the role that the JPC has played in speedily resolving bilateral issues faced by our people,” Kisule said.