By The Insight Post Uganda
Kampala-Uganda
The relationship between Uganda and Rwanda has been full of tension and conflict for decades. The two neighbouring countries have a shared history of political, economic, and security disputes that have strained their diplomatic ties.
However, recent efforts by both countries to revive their relationship and rebuild trust are raising hope for a more peaceful and prosperous future.
Last week, a three-day 11th meeting of a joint permanent commission was held with the aim of rebuilding trust and reestablishing strong ties between Uganda and Rwanda.
During the same time as the government-to-government meetings, a parallel engagement was organized where around 350 businesspeople from Uganda and Rwanda participated.
According to Francis Kisirinya, the Deputy Executive Director of Private Sector Foundation Uganda, the meeting suggested numerous resolutions and agreements that will regulate multiple business dealings between the two East African countries.
During the engagement, the business community representatives delved deeper into possibilities for collaboration, commerce, and investment.
They resolved that there must be guaranteed free movement of people, goods, and capital at both the East African Community and bilateral levels to revive the declining trade levels.
In 2020, during the peak of hostilities, Uganda’s exports to Rwanda fell drastically to $2 million (UGX 7.6 billion) from $200 million (UGX 757.8 billion) before 2020. Moreover, the annual volume of bilateral trade, which was previously at $350 million (UGX 1.3 trillion), also experienced a significant decline, falling to just $2 million annually.
Francis Kisirinya noted that the two countries share cultural ties and can derive mutual benefits from trading goods with each other. “We agreed that free movement of people, goods, and capital is crucial for mutual benefit,” he says.
Additionally, concerns were raised about the state of infrastructure between the two countries. The Ugandan business community pointed out that it takes 11 hours to travel by bus from Uganda to Rwanda’s capital city, Kigali, while air travel takes two hours with an additional three-hour check-in time.
They, therefore, called for the construction of a railway network between Uganda and Rwanda to alleviate transportation challenges.
Furthermore, the business community urged Uganda and Rwanda to sign a bilateral air transport agreement. Under this agreement, flights between the two countries would be treated as domestic flights instead of international ones, thereby lowering the cost of air travel.
Isaac Shinyekwa heads the trade and regional integration department at Makerere University’s Economic Policy Research Centre.
According to him, the businesses that had either found new markets or lost out due to the border closure between Uganda and Rwanda would need time to resume their operations.
“There is a time lag. The border was closed, and there is still scepticism. The business will not automatically take off; people can’t just rush in. The government has to assure business associations, support them, and help them get back into the system,” he stated.
The joint permanent commission meeting aimed to discuss various areas of cooperation between the two neighbouring countries, marking the first such forum since the normalization of relations.
The three-day meeting demonstrated the commitment of both sides to continue efforts aimed at revitalizing relations and building trust, according to the Rwandan Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Relations between Uganda and Rwanda were strained in 2018 when Kigali accused Kampala of hosting hostile groups to it, leading to the closure of the border with Uganda in February 2019. The border was re-opened in February 2022 but trade remains low.
Shinyekwa emphasized the need for the two governments to address their security and political concerns. “It was good that government officials met. Once the rules of engagement are determined, the private sector can come in,” he noted.
In addition, he noted, that leaders in the region aspire to establish a unified visa system to facilitate tourism and enable the unrestricted movement of people and goods.
“Integration is not only what leaders agree on; it has to be implemented and embraced by the business community,” he added.
The joint permanent commission was re-established in September 2022 during a meeting between high-level government officials from Uganda and Rwanda in Uganda, signifying a commitment from both sides to improving their relationship.
Regional, International Affairs Director
According to Elly Kamahungye, the director of regional and international affairs at Uganda’s foreign affairs ministry, both sides in the technical meeting agreed on the best approach to resolve issues hindering the smooth flow of goods and services between Uganda and Rwanda.
To achieve a successful mission, Kamahungye urges officials from both countries to maintain flexibility and commitment to creating a favourable environment for businesses to thrive.
Northern Corridor Projects such as the Standard Gauge Railway aimed at connecting Kenya’s Mombasa port to Kigali through Kampala and the regional refined petroleum products pipeline, which Uganda and Rwanda had committed to jointly implementing before political tensions developed.
“We hope that the Kigali forum could be utilized to find ways to revive these key regional projects,” he states.
History
Uganda and Rwanda’s relationship sour in the early 1990s, when the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) rebel group, led by current Rwandan President Paul Kagame, invaded Rwanda from Uganda.
The RPF’s victory in the 1994 Rwandan genocide further complicated the relationship between the two countries, as Rwanda accused Uganda of supporting Hutu extremists responsible for the genocide.
The tension between the two countries escalated in 2019 when Rwanda closed its border with Uganda, citing security concerns and allegations that Uganda was supporting Rwandan dissidents.
Despite these challenges, there have been some positive developments in recent months that suggest a thawing of the relationship between Uganda and Rwanda.
In August 2021, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and Rwandan President Paul Kagame met in Tanzania for the first time in two years. The meeting, which was facilitated by Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, focused on resolving the issues that have strained Uganda-Rwanda relations.
Additionally, in November 2021, Uganda and Rwanda signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation in several areas, including trade, security, and infrastructure development.
These developments are raising hopes that Uganda and Rwanda are on the path towards a renewed relationship and greater regional stability.
Why Diplomatic Cooperation Is Necessary?
According to our analysis desk, diplomatic cooperation between Uganda and Rwanda is necessary for the following reasons;
Talk of trade: Uganda and Rwanda share a border, and their economies are interdependent. The two countries engage in cross-border trade, with Rwanda importing goods such as fuel, food, and construction materials from Uganda. Diplomatic cooperation between the two countries is necessary to facilitate the smooth flow of goods across the border and to resolve any trade disputes that may arise.
Regional stability: Uganda and Rwanda are both members of the East African Community (EAC) and the African Union (AU), and their cooperation is essential for maintaining regional stability. The two countries have a shared interest in promoting peace and security in the Great Lakes region, which has been plagued by conflict and instability in recent years.
About Tourism: Both Uganda and Rwanda are popular tourist destinations, with attractions such as gorilla trekking and national parks. Diplomatic cooperation is necessary to promote tourism in the region and to address any issues related to the safety and security of tourists.
Cross-border infrastructure: Uganda and Rwanda are currently working on several cross-border infrastructure projects, including a new bridge over the River Nile and a railway line connecting the two countries. Diplomatic cooperation is essential for the successful completion of these projects and for ensuring that they benefit both countries equally.
Therefore several approaches could be taken to achieve diplomatic cooperation between the two countries and these include;
Through Dialogue: Diplomatic channels of communication should be kept open between the two countries to facilitate discussions on trade, security, and other issues of mutual concern.
Confidence-building measures: Both Uganda and Rwanda should take steps to build trust and confidence between their respective governments and populations. This could involve cultural exchanges, joint economic projects, and other forms of collaboration.
Through Mediation: Regional and international organizations, such as the EAC and the AU, could play a role in mediating disputes between Uganda and Rwanda and promoting dialogue and cooperation.
Joint initiatives: Uganda and Rwanda could work together on joint initiatives that benefit both countries, such as tourism promotion, environmental conservation, and cross-border infrastructure projects.
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