Some top generals in Uganda’s national army, the UPDF, and other security agencies wanted Kampala to go to war with Rwanda, a senior military officer and close member of President Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni’s family has revealed.
In the previous three years, the relations between Uganda and Rwanda were cold, with both countries and their leaders accusing each others of plotting to destabilize either nation. Kigali accused Kampala of harassing, arresting and detaining Rwandan nationals over accusations that they were spies sent by President Paul Kagame. Kampala, too, accused Kigali of mistreating Ugandans staying in Rwanda.
There were deportations on either side. There were even reports of Kigali spying on top government and military officials, including using notorious spyware.
Negotiations to resolve the disagreements between the two brotherly countries dragged on for about three years since the closure of the Katuna (Gatuna) border point. The Covid19 pandemic made matters worse as countries across the world suspended international travel.
Meanwhile, all conditions looked ripe for a war between Uganda and Rwanda. And as we have now learnt, some top security officers wanted war between Kigali and Kampala.
According to Lt Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the first son and Commander of the UPDF Land Forces, some elements were leading the country on a path to war with her neighbor. Lt Gen Kainerugaba seems to suggest that if he not been appointed Commander of Land Forces (CLF), some security officers would have been happy to drag Uganda into war with Rwanda.
The first son, who is also President Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni’s senior advisor on special operations, says he thwarted the plot to go for war with Kigali by reporting the security officers behind the bloody plan to his father.
“There was a terrible conspiracy amongst some people in the security services that wanted us to go to war with our brothers in Rwanda,” revealed Kainerugaba. “Their biggest catastrophe is that President Museveni appointed me CLF. Once I discovered this conspiracy, I reported to the President.”
Kainerugaba has since been instrumental in efforts to restore relations between Rwanda and Uganda. Following his meetings with President Kagame in Rwanda, Kigali reopened the Gatuna (Katuna) border point after almost three years of closure. (Read Story Here).
Kagame also recently visited Uganda for the first time in about four years. The Rwandan president, who Museveni’s son calls ‘uncle’ attended Muhoozi’s birthday dinner at State House Entebbe. (Read Story Here).
