Rwanda to decorate Museveni

Risdel Kasasira
Kampala

The Rwandan government will tomorrow honour President Museveni for backing the Rwandese Patriotic Front war that overthrew the Juvanel Habyarima regime in 1994.

Rwandan President Paul Kagame will decorate his former Commander-in-Chief with a heroic medal during celebrations to mark the RPF government 15th anniversary in Kigali on July 4.

The accolade to President Museveni is a sign of the improving relations between Rwanda and Uganda after the armies of the two countries fought in the DR Congo 11 years ago.

Rwanda Information Minister Louis Mushikiwabo told Daily Monitor in a phone interview that his country appreciates the role played by President Museveni in the RPF 1990-94 war struggle.

She said: “We are very grateful for the support and brotherly gesture showed by President Museveni and the people of Uganda during the liberation struggle. We appreciate him for standing up with the people of Rwanda during hard times. It’s extremely significant, and on Saturday, we are very happy to have President Museveni here.”

Asked for his take, Museveni’s press secretary Tamale Mirundi said, “We are brothers; the Rwandans participated in the liberation struggle here in 1980s and 1990s during their struggle to go back, we also supported them.”

Presidents Kagame and Museveni and 25 others made the first attack on Kabamba military barracks in 1981 before launching a guerilla war that led to the downfall of the Obote II regime.

After capturing power in 1986, President Museveni appointed Mr Kagame the director of military intelligence before he later led the RPF into capturing power in Rwanda in 1994.

The attack on Rwanda led to the genocide in 1994 that left an estimated 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus dead. The Uganda Ambassador in Kigali, Mr Richard Kabonero, told Daily Monitor from Kigali yesterday, “We expect the President here on Saturday at the invitation of the Rwanda government.”

During celebrations, according to New Times newspaper, Rwanda will also honour unidentified foreigners who supported the struggle.

Uganda-Rwanda love-hate affair
1970s Kagame joins Museveni through Gen. Fred Rwigyema.
1981 NRA attacks Kabamba.
1986 NRA captures power, Kagame appointed Military Intelligence chief.
1990 RPF led by Gen. Rwigyema launches attack on Rwanda.
1990 Rwigyema killed, Kagame comes from US to lead RPF.
1994 RPF captures power.
1997 UPDF and RPF clash in DR Congo.
1999 UPDF, RPF clash in Kisangani.
2001 Uganda declares Rwanda a hostile state.
2005 both countries start mending relations.
2007 Rwanda joins the East African Community.
2007 Uganda backs Rwandan entry into the Commonwealth.