Uganda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jeje Odongo is in Rwanda for diplomatic and political consultations with his Rwandan counterpart, Vincent Biruta. A tweet put out by Rwanda’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs indicates that “Minister Vincent Biruta received his Ugandan counterpart, Gen. Jeje Abubakhar Odongo and his delegation. The two ministers held diplomatic and political consultations to strengthen bilateral cooperation between Rwanda and Uganda.” Early this year, Rwanda and Uganda embarked on restoring relations that had stalled for more than three years. The restoration of relations followed a visit of Uganda’s commander of land forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba to Rwanda. Minister @Vbiruta received Hon. Gen. Odongo Jeje Abubakhar, the Minister of @UgandaMFA and his delegation. The two ministers held diplomatic and political consultations to strengthen bilateral cooperation between #Rwanda and #Uganda. pic.twitter.com/gWYUILoOzV — Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Int'l Cooperation (@RwandaMFA) September 1, 2022 Muhoozi’s visit was widely perceived as a positive step toward reviving ties between the two countries, which sunk to the lowest after a number of grievances by Rwanda remained unaddressed for years. The grievances, which were discussed during bilateral meetings and others mediated by regional leaders included abductions and torture of Rwandans in Uganda, the latter’s involvement in supporting armed groups intending to attack Rwanda and economic sabotage. Between 2017 and 2021, thousands of Rwandans were abducted and tortured by Ugandan security officials – mainly the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence, and most of them were dumped at the border points after their ordeal. Some lost their lives in the process.
