Kampala
The warming Uganda-Rwanda diplomatic relations appeared headed for trouble once again after Kigali formally protested to Kampala at the weekend over reports their run away former army commander, Lt. Gen. Kayumba Nyamwasa, is allegedly hiding here.
Rwandas Foreign Affairs Minister, Ms Louise Mushikiwabo, told Daily Monitor last evening that her government had registered its concern with officials of Ugandas Ministries of Foreign Affairs and that of Local Government as well as security chiefs. The authorities took my concern and said if they get information that is of interest, they will let our government know, she said, referring to the contested whereabouts of Gen. Nyamwasa.
Up until his flight on Friday after an annual retreat of diplomats in Kigali, the general was the countrys ambassador to India and previously served as the first commander of the Paul Kagame-led Rwanda Patriotic Forces, after the 1994 genocide.
Ugandas Defence Spokesman, Lt. Col. Felix Kulayigye, said he is unaware if the fugitive is being sheltered in Kampala, as alleged, and referred this newspaper to Mr Sam Kutesa, the Foreign Affairs Minister. I am trying to seek details from security but we are also looking for him. But why do you want him? Mr Kutesa said by phone. With Uganda formally denying the generals presence in the country, Rwanda said it was not yet suspecting any mischief since Kigali had been assured it would get maximum cooperation.
Diplomatic problem
Daily Monitor has learnt that Gen. Nyamwasas issue, a diplomatic nightmare for Uganda, will form the highlight of discussions at a Joint Permanent Commission meeting due in Kampala, on Wednesday, which will review security and bilateral ties between the two counties.
Asked if Rwanda-Uganda relations had been damaged, Ms Mushikiwabo, who is also spokesperson of the Rwandan government, said: I dont think the flight of one person can dent our relationships that have been solid for long. Our two countries have much more in common that a fugitive can destroy.
Peoples of the two countries are bonded in many ways, trade and shared heritage and culture inclusive. For instance, Uganda was the principal backer of the RPF guerrilla movement that brought the current Kigali leadership, and President Paul Kagame to power.
However over the years, political rivalry and suspected bruised ego of some of the leaders in either country threw the bilateral relation into a mess with armies of the two countries fighting one another several times in Kisangani during the 1997-2003 in Democratic Republic of Congo, which they had both joined as allies.
The warming Uganda-Rwanda diplomatic relations appeared headed for trouble once again after Kigali formally protested to Kampala at the weekend over reports their run away former army commander, Lt. Gen. Kayumba Nyamwasa, is allegedly hiding here.
Rwandas Foreign Affairs Minister, Ms Louise Mushikiwabo, told Daily Monitor last evening that her government had registered its concern with officials of Ugandas Ministries of Foreign Affairs and that of Local Government as well as security chiefs. The authorities took my concern and said if they get information that is of interest, they will let our government know, she said, referring to the contested whereabouts of Gen. Nyamwasa.
Up until his flight on Friday after an annual retreat of diplomats in Kigali, the general was the countrys ambassador to India and previously served as the first commander of the Paul Kagame-led Rwanda Patriotic Forces, after the 1994 genocide.
Ugandas Defence Spokesman, Lt. Col. Felix Kulayigye, said he is unaware if the fugitive is being sheltered in Kampala, as alleged, and referred this newspaper to Mr Sam Kutesa, the Foreign Affairs Minister. I am trying to seek details from security but we are also looking for him. But why do you want him? Mr Kutesa said by phone. With Uganda formally denying the generals presence in the country, Rwanda said it was not yet suspecting any mischief since Kigali had been assured it would get maximum cooperation.
Diplomatic problem
Daily Monitor has learnt that Gen. Nyamwasas issue, a diplomatic nightmare for Uganda, will form the highlight of discussions at a Joint Permanent Commission meeting due in Kampala, on Wednesday, which will review security and bilateral ties between the two counties.
Asked if Rwanda-Uganda relations had been damaged, Ms Mushikiwabo, who is also spokesperson of the Rwandan government, said: I dont think the flight of one person can dent our relationships that have been solid for long. Our two countries have much more in common that a fugitive can destroy.
Peoples of the two countries are bonded in many ways, trade and shared heritage and culture inclusive. For instance, Uganda was the principal backer of the RPF guerrilla movement that brought the current Kigali leadership, and President Paul Kagame to power.
However over the years, political rivalry and suspected bruised ego of some of the leaders in either country threw the bilateral relation into a mess with armies of the two countries fighting one another several times in Kisangani during the 1997-2003 in Democratic Republic of Congo, which they had both joined as allies.
