This archive report was first published on 22 August 2019.
On August 21, 2019, Rwanda and Uganda signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to cease their hostility, a move described as valuable for their relations.
The MOU was signed during a quadripartite summit in Luanda, Angola, attended by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, Rwandan President Paul Kagame, Angolan President Joao Lourenco, and Democratic Republic of the Congo leader Felix Tshisekedi.
The two neighboring countries had experienced a frosty relation due to issues including people's safety, spying, border issues, and groups hostile to the Rwandan government.
Rwandan Foreign Minister Richard Sezibera had advised Rwandan people not to travel to Uganda in March 2019 due to ongoing arrests, harassment, torture, incarceration without consular access, and deportation.
The MOU seals the understanding reached between the two central African countries and will help overcome the tension that has characterized their relations.
Ugandan leaders agreed to respect each other's sovereignty and that of neighboring countries, according to a State House statement.
Rwanda is keen on implementing the agreement to normalize the relations, said Minister of State in charge of East African Affairs Olivier Nduhungirehe in an interview with state broadcaster Radio Rwanda.
Former Rwandan diplomat Zeno Mutimura described the agreement as a positive move toward restoring the relations between the two countries.
"We hope it is going to work. We can hope it is going to be put in action," he said.
