The ongoing "security dialogues” between Rwanda and Uganda highlight strong relations between the two countries, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has said, adding that the two neighbours enjoy "mutual trust and cooperation.”

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The latest round of such talks took place in Kigali, on Monday, August 12, between Gen Mubarakh Muganga, the Rwanda Defence Force Chief of Defence Staff, and Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the UPDF Chief of Defence Forces.

The meeting held at RDF Headquarters in Kimihurura was also attended by all RDF chiefs of staff or services: Lt Gen Jean-Jacques Mupenzi (Air Force), Maj Gen Vincent Nyakarundi (Land Forces), Maj Gen Dr Ephrem Rurangwa (Medical Health), and Maj Gen (Rtd) Frank Mugambage (Acting, Reserve Force).

Several other Rwandan Generals and senior officers were also in attendance, while Gen Kainerugaba’s delegation included a number of Ugandan General Officers, including Maj Gen James Birungi, Chief of Military Intelligence; Maj Gen Moses Rwakitarate, the Coordinator, National Vital Assets and Strategic Installations; and Brig Gen Richard Karemire, the former UPDF Spokesperson who currently serves as Chief of Education, Sports and Culture.

"Gen Kainerugaba described the meeting as a return visit, following his counterpart’s visit to Kampala in May, underscoring the ongoing security dialogues between Uganda and Rwanda. This engagement highlights the strong relations between the two nations, built on mutual trust and cooperation,” the UPDF wrote on its website.

Gen Kainerugaba, who is President Yoweri Museveni’s son, arrived in Kigali last week to attend the historic inauguration of President Paul Kagame – an event that attracted dozens of Heads of State and Government from across Africa and other leaders from across the world.

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Meanwhile, the visiting UPDF delegation was later Monday hosted to an evening of dinner and dancing at Kigali Convention Centre, where Brig Gen Birungi "thanked the RDF and the people of Rwanda for their warm hospitality.”

Delegations of senior military and political leaders have in recent times gone on a flurry of trips between Kigali and Kampala as part of broader high-level efforts by both governments to find solutions to deep-seated problems that had grossly undermined their historic relations.