MUSANZE - Defence Minister, James Kabarebe, and his Ugandan counterpart, Crispus Kiyonga, yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening military cooperation between the two countries.

The pact was signed following the exchange of minutes endorsed by the RDF Chief of Defence Forces, Lt. Gen. Charles Kayonga and his Uganda counterpart, Gen. Aronda Nyakayirima.

Kabarebe said that the pact follows instructions given by the Heads of State which were aimed at implementing bilateral military cooperation agreed upon during the their July 2011 meeting.

"This is an important occasion that witnesses the signing of a very important document containing the framework through which our defence cooperation will be realised,” Kabarebe said.

"This document is not an ordinary MoU; it is not a stereotype MoU, but a deeper document containing every detail of what we wish to cooperate in,” he added.

Kabarebe said the CDF’s of both countries will do whatever is within their powers to implement the contents of the agreement.

"We signed what is natural between us and Uganda. Cooperation between the countries is a natural phenomenon, we are just formalising it as a requirement, but naturally, Rwanda and Uganda are bound by so many things.

"Social, cultural and economic factors, have been respected over years even by our forefathers since time immemorial. This just comes to strengthen this bond that is natural among us,” Kabarebe said

On his part, Kiyonga said that it was timely for the countries to sign the agreement following a Joint Permanent Commission between the two countries earlier this year.

"Like my colleague just said, its only natural that the people of our countries live together and work together but because of the fast changing world,  our survival can only be ensured be being even closer,”

"We have no option but not only to exploit our natural relationship but make it even deeper,” Kiyonga said

He commended Rwanda for hosting the joint military drill of the East African Community Command Post Exercise, and the military cooperation between the two countries, describing it as a double kill.

Kiyonga extended an invitation to his Rwandan counterpart to visit Uganda.

The MoU was signed after the official opening  of The East African Community Command Post Exercise, code named  ‘Ushirikiano Imara’ held at Rwanda Military Academy- Nyakinama, in Musanze District.

It followed a three-day visit of Uganda’s CDF Gen, Aronda Nyakayirima to Rwanda

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