This archive report was first published on 11 September 2021.
Uganda and Rwanda have been embroiled in a long-standing dispute that has seen the two countries exchange accusations of espionage, support for rebels, and mistreatment of citizens across each other's borders.
Despite this, Rwanda has invited Uganda for an ad-hoc meeting to discuss and verify the implementation of an agreement signed in 2019 to resolve their bilateral tensions.
According to sources from both governments, an invitation letter was sent by Uganda's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gen Jeje Odongo, to his Rwandan counterpart, Vincent Biruta, on August 30.
However, Rwanda has denied plans for the meeting, with government spokesperson Yolande Makolo stating that 'no meeting is planned for now, but Rwanda remains open to follow-up dialogue on the issues raised.'
These issues include Uganda's continued support for political and armed groups hostile to Rwanda, as well as the mistreatment of Rwandans in Uganda.
President Yoweri Museveni has downplayed the espionage allegations against Rwanda, stating that 'spying to do what? If I want secrets, you will not know because the secrets are in my head.'
President Paul Kagame has accused the Ugandan government of normalising the mistreatment of Rwandans in Uganda, stating that 'no Ugandan gets problems in Rwanda but literally all Rwandans who go there are worried.'
Despite the ongoing tensions, both countries have made efforts to resolve their differences, with their presidents meeting four times since 2019 and officials from both countries meeting on several occasions to implement their presidents' resolutions.
