Uganda, Rwanda Must Work In Realms Of Logic

Tajudeen's Thursday Post Card There is no guarantee that the next Rwanda government will be permanently beholden to or even friendly to Kampala It is not a revelation to say things are not good between the government of Uganda and that of Rwanda. An indication of just how bad relations are was the recent official naming of Rwanda as a 'hostile state' by the government of Uganda along with the Sudan and DRC. The naming of Sudan and DRC did not surprise many people because Uganda has been at war directly (DRC) or indirectly (Sudan) in both countries for many years now. But why Rwanda? Perhaps it was naivety to wonder why Rwanda because the wounds of the pointless killing orchestrated by Kisangani 1, 2 and 3 are still fresh. All the high level talks, joint investigations and public avowal of "continuing friendship and good neighbourliness," remain empty words. They were meant for public consumption to paper over the embarrassment and assuage international condemnation. Many high ranking government officials and supporters of the re-election of President Museveni in Uganda believe that Rwanda supported Museveni's main challenger, Dr. Kizza Besigye. Rwanda has denied this most vehemently and also expressed shock that it is considered a "hostile state." In turn, it is accusing Uganda of behaving in a hostile manner including allegations of Uganda harbouring people hostile to the Rwanda government. It beats any logic why an RPF government in Rwanda will support Dr Besigye's alliance which included prominent xenophobes like former Mayor Sebaggala and MP Ken Lukyamuzi who advised their supporters to kill (with machetes) any foreigners they saw voting. No one in Uganda is deceived by the general term of "foreigners." It often refers to Banyarwanda and Nubians (taken to be any Sudanese). Another twist to the ethnic consciousness in this region is that when people say Banyarwanda, they actually mean Batutsi because the Bahutu are part of us! Therefore it will seem ridiculous that President Kagame will go into a suicide pact, just to spite his former mentor and ally, President Museveni. Yet this is what Museveni's supporters and aides believe Rwanda has done. Considering Uganda's dismal experience of "trying to have friendly governments" in neighbouring countries, including the DRC and Rwanda, in recent years, I do not see the logic of it wanting to change the government of Rwanda. There is no guarantee that the next government will be permanently beholden to or even friendly to Kampala. If the alliance with the RPF nurtured in several years of sweat and blood could unravel so quickly, what guarantees are there for a hastily constructed one just to teach your former comrades some lesson? There is no logic in it yet not a few people in Kigali believe that this is the case. Now in politics most of the time what is believed to be true could be more important than what is actually the truth. The ruling power elite in both countries have shared historical memories, organisational linkages, ideological convergence and personal affiliations. It should be an open secret that both President Museveni and his main challenger, Dr Besigye, are well known and well connected in Kigali. Does this mean that whatever goodwill the former loses with the powers that be will automatically translate into support for the latter? Ordinarily it does not follow unless one follows the dubious logic of my enemy's enemy is my best friend. So we are operating not in the realm of logic but beliefs fed by personal antagonism translated into state action. For as long as certain individuals are in power in both countries, relations will remain frosty because the level of mistrust and suspicion are just too much and held by high state functionaries. It is like the bitter divorce of a highly romantic couple; all is fair in love as in war. But the people of both countries have to let the two presidents, their military high commands, security officers, operatives and other hirelings know that the relationship between the two countries is not their monopoly. There are more issues at stake than the bruised egos of leaders and their acolytes. It is a test of leadership to have the courage for peace when war is not just. There are many Ugandans who are of Rwandese origin and many Rwandese who are settled in this country. There are many Ugandans resident in Rwanda. In Kigali markets, neither English nor French is the second language, but Luganda. Many medium level business enterprises depend on both countries to remain in business. They should not be sacrificed by petty politics. A time was when the Kenyan establishment had many problems with the NRM establishment in Uganda but today realism of economic interdependence has led to closer relationship. If both leaders truly have the interests of their peoples at heart they should have the courage to seek peaceful resolution of their differences, bury their egos and give peace a chance. Ends Tajudeen28@hotmail.com