Rwandan President Paul Kagame concluded a two-day visit to Tanzania, seeking to stabilize relations with Dar es Salaam amid escalating disputes with Uganda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The trip, marked by private discussions with President John Magufuli, aimed to secure alternative trade pathways as diplomatic friction with Kampala intensifies.
The deteriorating relationship between Rwanda and Uganda has escalated over recent weeks, culminating in Rwanda closing the Gatuna border post. Kigali has accused Kampala of unlawful detentions and abuse of its citizens, while Uganda alleged Rwanda violated East African Community trade protocols by using shared transport corridors. These tensions have disrupted cross-border commerce, prompting Rwanda to prioritize its maritime access through Tanzanian ports.
Rwanda relies heavily on the Dar es Salaam port for 80% of its imports, while its key exports—minerals, tea, and coffee—traditionally transit through Uganda to Mombasa. However, with regional cooperation faltering, Rwanda is advancing the Isaka-Kigali railway project, a $2.3 billion initiative estimated to cost $200 million less than the Kenya-Uganda route. This shift comes as the larger Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) linking Mombasa to Kigali remains delayed, with only Kenya's Nairobi-Mombasa segment completed.
During the visit, Kagame's delegation—including Foreign Affairs Minister Richard Sezibera and Intelligence Chief Gen Joseph Nzabamwita—focused on bilateral trade expansion. While no formal agreements were announced, analysts noted Magufuli's potential role as a mediator in regional conflicts. The Tanzanian president, who previously visited Rwanda in 2016 to open border infrastructure, has maintained diplomatic ties with both Kigali and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni.
Rwanda's fuel imports average 20 million liters monthly, with East African Community partners accounting for 20.8% of its total imports. In Q3 2018, Tanzania supplied 24% of these goods, trailing behind Uganda (43%) and Kenya (32%). As regional logistics challenges persist, Rwanda's emphasis on the Isaka-Kigali corridor underscores its strategic pivot toward Tanzanian cooperation.
