After a three-year standoff fueled by accusations of espionage and support for dissidents, Rwanda has agreed to reopen its common border with Uganda after a round of intense diplomacy.
While Rwanda had insisted that the border would remain closed until the contentious issues are resolved, on Friday Kigali announced that it would reopen border points on Monday, January 31, as both countries continue to resolve the dispute. Failed talks to ease tensions between Kagame and Museveni were previously hosted by Angola and Congo.
The announcement follows a recent visit by Lt-Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni’s son, who held a closed-door meeting with President Kagame.
Uganda’s Foreign Affairs minister Jeje Odongo says Uganda has complied with Rwanda’s conditions.
Kigali’s demands include the removal of Uganda’s Chief of the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence Maj-Gen Abel Kandiho, a ban of the non-governmental organisation Self Worth Initiative (SWI) and the freezing of Rwandan businessman Tribert Rujugiro’s investments in Uganda. On January 25, Uganda removed Gen Kandiho from his position, a move that was hailed by the authorities in Rwanda, according to media reports.
In the interview, President Kagame said that Rwanda remained open to dialogue but the outstanding issues would have to be resolved before reopening the common border.
Since 2019, Uganda has deported at least 2,745 Rwandans and 20 bodies were dumped at the Rwandan border. In January, more than 120 Rwandans were deported.
The border closure severely disrupted trade links in the region. Ugandan goods, including food, liquor and cement, dominated the Rwandan market before the closure of the border.
Rwanda primarily relies on a transport corridor that runs from the Kenyan port of Mombasa and on through Uganda. The same road also allows goods through Rwanda to Burundi and eastern Congo.
During the standoff, Uganda accused Rwanda of an effective trade embargo.