Museveni, Kagame strengthen bilateral ties
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni and his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame have agreed to enhance relationships between the two countries, exchange visits and fast-track regional integration.
By Cyprian Musoke
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni and his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame have agreed to enhance relationships between the two countries, exchange visits and fast-track regional integration.
In a joint communiqué issued at the end of Museveni’s four-day state visit to Rwanda, the two Presidents directed their delegations to arrange exchange visits and share experiences on development and technology in order to ensure that socio-economic transformation of their people is realised.
In the communiqué read out at a joint press conference by Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Louise Mushikiwabo, the two leaders also directed that cooperation between the two countries should be enhanced through bilateral meetings and reciprocal visits, and to consolidate the gains of the NRM and RPF liberation struggles for peace, stability and progress in the region.
Ministers from Rwanda and Uganda also signed memoranda of understanding for cooperation in areas of agriculture, ICT, environmental management and coffee promotion as part of resolutions of the Joint Permanent Commission.
President Kagame, answering a question about the significance of Museveni’s visit, said: “We are happy about this visit personally, at government level and at the level of the ordinary citizens.â€
“You can read all this from the mood around. We will build on that for a brighter future,†he added.
On his part, Museveni reiterated that there was no reason for people from Uganda and Rwanda not to work as one people. On Sunday, Kagame and his wife Jeannette Kagame hosted Museveni and First Lady Janet to a state banquet at Serena Hotel Kigali.
Kagame thanked Museveni for leading a liberation struggle that addressed both the needs of Uganda and of Africa.
“You provided us with vital support when it mattered most, not just as a leader in our neighbourhood but also as a Pan-Africanist,†Kagame said.
Museveni hailed the people of Rwanda under the leadership of President Kagame for the positive transformation in development carried out in the country and for creating a conducive environment for all Rwandans abroad to return home.
He said Kagame had demonstrated that “land shortage notwithstanding all Banyarwanda could live within Rwanda if they wanted to.†He saluted Rwandan patriots who participated in the liberation of Uganda between 1971 and 1986.
He said Kagame and the late Maj.Gen. Fred Rwigyema were among the 27 armed fighters of the NRA who participated in the attack of Kabamba barracks on February 6 1981, and helped to liberate Uganda in 1986. He said many other Rwandans died in the struggle and their contribution should be recognised.
Museveni yesterday morning met a crosssection of the Ugandans living in Rwanda led by the chairman of the Association of Ugandan Community in Rwanda, Isa Bogere. Over 4,000 Ugandans are working in Rwanda in various fields.
He explained to them the current situation in Uganda and observed that inflation would be contained; power shortfalls would also be addressed with the commissioning of Bujagali hydro-power station and the construction of new dams. The meeting was attended by Uganda’s High Commissioner to Rwanda, Richard Kabonero.
Meanwhile, speaking at celebrations to mark the 15th anniversary of the Rwanda Women Parliamentary Forum (FFRP) at parliament buildings, Kagame said women could excel further with more will, which he said existed in abundance. The president advised the women to translate their majority in parliament to positive outcomes.
Janet Museveni was a special guest at the celebrations to mark the 15th anniversary of the FFRP held at the parliament buildings. She challenged the audience to catch up with the developed world by moving faster and harnessing their potential.
Three AMISOM soldiers killed in Mogadishu street fighting
By Vision Reporter
ONE Uganda People’s Defense Force soldier and two others from the Somali Federal Government serving in AMISOM were yesterday killed in an attack by Islamist rebels in Mogadishu.
AMISOM force spokesman Lt. Col. Paddy Ankunda last evening said two suicide bombers dressed in Somali Transitional Federal Government (TFG) uniform were killed in the attack, before they were able to detonate their suicide vests.
“They had attempted to infiltrate the frontline held by AMISOM in Mogadishu,†he said.
He said the incident happened behind the frontline in Wardhigley district, near Florenza Junction.
“In an exchange of gunfire with the suicide bombers, two AMISOM soldiers were wounded but later died of the injuries.
International media reported that three African Union troops were killed in Mogadishu on Friday as fighting erupted between pro-government forces and Islamist rebels.
Fierce fighting reportedly broke out for the second day running as al-Qaeda inspired al-Shabaab insurgents reinforced positions following the launch of a government offensive to secure aid routes or drought victims.
“I saw three dead Ugandan soldiers dragged by the residents in Suqaholaha, they wore army dogtags,†said Osmail Yusuf, a witness.
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni and his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame have agreed to enhance relationships between the two countries, exchange visits and fast-track regional integration.
In a joint communiqué issued at the end of Museveni’s four-day state visit to Rwanda, the two Presidents directed their delegations to arrange exchange visits and share experiences on development and technology in order to ensure that socio-economic transformation of their people is realised.
In the communiqué read out at a joint press conference by Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Louise Mushikiwabo, the two leaders also directed that cooperation between the two countries should be enhanced through bilateral meetings and reciprocal visits, and to consolidate the gains of the NRM and RPF liberation struggles for peace, stability and progress in the region.
Ministers from Rwanda and Uganda also signed memoranda of understanding for cooperation in areas of agriculture, ICT, environmental management and coffee promotion as part of resolutions of the Joint Permanent Commission.
President Kagame, answering a question about the significance of Museveni’s visit, said: “We are happy about this visit personally, at government level and at the level of the ordinary citizens.â€
“You can read all this from the mood around. We will build on that for a brighter future,†he added.
On his part, Museveni reiterated that there was no reason for people from Uganda and Rwanda not to work as one people. On Sunday, Kagame and his wife Jeannette Kagame hosted Museveni and First Lady Janet to a state banquet at Serena Hotel Kigali.
Kagame thanked Museveni for leading a liberation struggle that addressed both the needs of Uganda and of Africa.
“You provided us with vital support when it mattered most, not just as a leader in our neighbourhood but also as a Pan-Africanist,†Kagame said.
Museveni hailed the people of Rwanda under the leadership of President Kagame for the positive transformation in development carried out in the country and for creating a conducive environment for all Rwandans abroad to return home.
He said Kagame had demonstrated that “land shortage notwithstanding all Banyarwanda could live within Rwanda if they wanted to.†He saluted Rwandan patriots who participated in the liberation of Uganda between 1971 and 1986.
He said Kagame and the late Maj.Gen. Fred Rwigyema were among the 27 armed fighters of the NRA who participated in the attack of Kabamba barracks on February 6 1981, and helped to liberate Uganda in 1986. He said many other Rwandans died in the struggle and their contribution should be recognised.
Museveni yesterday morning met a crosssection of the Ugandans living in Rwanda led by the chairman of the Association of Ugandan Community in Rwanda, Isa Bogere. Over 4,000 Ugandans are working in Rwanda in various fields.
He explained to them the current situation in Uganda and observed that inflation would be contained; power shortfalls would also be addressed with the commissioning of Bujagali hydro-power station and the construction of new dams. The meeting was attended by Uganda’s High Commissioner to Rwanda, Richard Kabonero.
Meanwhile, speaking at celebrations to mark the 15th anniversary of the Rwanda Women Parliamentary Forum (FFRP) at parliament buildings, Kagame said women could excel further with more will, which he said existed in abundance. The president advised the women to translate their majority in parliament to positive outcomes.
Janet Museveni was a special guest at the celebrations to mark the 15th anniversary of the FFRP held at the parliament buildings. She challenged the audience to catch up with the developed world by moving faster and harnessing their potential.
Three AMISOM soldiers killed in Mogadishu street fighting
By Vision Reporter
ONE Uganda People’s Defense Force soldier and two others from the Somali Federal Government serving in AMISOM were yesterday killed in an attack by Islamist rebels in Mogadishu.
AMISOM force spokesman Lt. Col. Paddy Ankunda last evening said two suicide bombers dressed in Somali Transitional Federal Government (TFG) uniform were killed in the attack, before they were able to detonate their suicide vests.
“They had attempted to infiltrate the frontline held by AMISOM in Mogadishu,†he said.
He said the incident happened behind the frontline in Wardhigley district, near Florenza Junction.
“In an exchange of gunfire with the suicide bombers, two AMISOM soldiers were wounded but later died of the injuries.
International media reported that three African Union troops were killed in Mogadishu on Friday as fighting erupted between pro-government forces and Islamist rebels.
Fierce fighting reportedly broke out for the second day running as al-Qaeda inspired al-Shabaab insurgents reinforced positions following the launch of a government offensive to secure aid routes or drought victims.
“I saw three dead Ugandan soldiers dragged by the residents in Suqaholaha, they wore army dogtags,†said Osmail Yusuf, a witness.