Uganda, Rwanda discuss relations

Nov 20, 2002

THE Uganda-Rwanda Joint Permanent Commission meeting opens in Kampala this morning to discuss relations and co-operation between the two countries

By Geoffrey Kamali

THE Uganda-Rwanda Joint Permanent Commission meeting opens in Kampala this morning to discuss relations and co-operation between the two countries.

The discussions, to be held at Hotel Africana, follow last month’s meeting in London between presidents Yoweri Museveni and Paul Kagame of Rwanda.

Respective heads of the political wings in the two countries, Dr. Crispus Kiyonga and Rwanda’s Charles Murigande, then RPF secretary general, met at Mweya Safari Lodge in Uganda.

Murigande, who has since been appointed foreign affairs minister, will lead the powerful delegation to the meeting.

The delegation includes cabinet ministers, whose names were not available by press-time yesterday and technical government officials, most of whom arrived in Kampala last night.

Rwanda’s ambassador to Uganda Christine Umutoni yesterday said the discussions would centre around development issues with a view to signing a co-operation agreement between the two countries.

Among issues to be discussed are education, agriculture, livestock, health, trade, industry, tourism, commerce, public service, labour, taxation policies, transport and communication and bank operations.

“Such agreements existed between our two countries before, the first in 1986 and the last one in 1989. But they have since not been followed up.

“This is a good opportunity to develop these issues,” Umutoni said.

The meeting will be preceded by discussions between technical officials today before a ministerial meeting is held tomorrow.

There have been exchange programmes between the police forces of the two countries, students programmes between Rwanda’s National University at Butare and Makerere University in kampala, as well as on gender and women in development.

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