Uganda, Rwanda agree on border military operations
The move was agreed on during the 8th Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) Proximity Commanders meeting, which ended on Saturday (August 29) at Hotel Triangle in Mbarara City.
Military officials from Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) pose for a group photo during the 8th Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) Proximity Commanders meeting (
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The defence chiefs of Uganda and Rwanda have agreed to carry out a coordinated effort to professionalise their military operations, aimed at permanently securing their common border for the safety and prosperity of the people in both countries.
The move was agreed on during the 8th Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) Proximity Commanders meeting, which ended on Saturday (August 29) at Hotel Triangle in Mbarara City.
The three-day meeting attracted military chiefs from both countries. Maj. Gen. Felix Busizoori, the UPDF Deputy Commander Land Forces, presided over the closing ceremony. Maj. Gen. Ruki Karusisi, the commander of the Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) 5th Infantry Division, led the Rwandan delegation.
Presenting the meeting resolutions, Maj. Gen. Paul Muhangizi, 2nd UPDF Infantry Division commander, said they have reviewed the security situation along the common border with honesty and openness. The officers also assessed emerging threats including Ebola, cross-border crimes, smuggling, drug trafficking, and illegal mining.
The military officers agreed to implement timely intelligence sharing and address the problem of dumping of human remains at border lines. To effectively resolve these security and humanitarian challenges, they agreed to bring on board other key stakeholders into the operation, including police and immigration officers.
In his speech, Busizoori emphasised that cross-border collaboration is essential in the interconnected world in tackling global complex challenges that transcend borders.
Busizoori specifically pointed to pressing issues such as climate change, public health crises like Ebola, cross-border smuggling, drug trafficking, economic inequality, among others.
“The importance of cross-border collaboration has a lot, and I may highlight shared knowledge and resources to sort out issues across the border, and this sharing drives innovation and efficiency and brings more effective solutions," Busizoori stated.
He encouraged officers from both countries to stay connected, share updates and continue supporting one another. "Remember our work doesn’t end here; it's just the start of the journey towards a lasting partnership that transcends the boundaries," he added.
Busizoori insisted that working together will enhance trade relations, hence boost economic growth, create jobs and increase collaborative projects such as infrastructure, thereby boost socio-economic transformation.
On his part, Karusisi hailed what he termed a constructive engagement, which reinforced the importance of mutual trust, regular communication and action in addressing both military and non-military challenges across the border.
“As we leave Mbarara, we leave with big confidence in our partnership and strong commitment to continued cooperation," Karusisi stated.
The military chiefs appreciated the leadership of Presidents Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and Paul Kagame of Rwanda, whose commitment continued to provide a strong foundation for cooperation between the two countries.
These also appreciated the guidance of the UPDF Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, and Chief of Defense Staff of the RDF Gen. Mubarak Muganda in strengthening cooperation between the forces of the two countries.