My friendship with Kagame was forged around cows – Muhoozi

Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba has revealed that he became friends with the President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, thanks to the gift of cows that he received from him last year.

Muhoozi said the two quickly moved from Kagame being a President and him being an army general to becoming friends.

“The mark of friendship was the cows that he gave me and I take that very seriously,” he said.

“The cows are doing well and have produced. You gave me 10 cows and now I have 17.”

Muhoozi made these remarks while being hosted for his 49th birthday by the Rwandan leader in Kigali.

Cows in Rwanda, just like in many societies in Uganda, are considered the best gift to be exchanged between friends and at social gatherings. Rwandans often greet each other with “amashyo,” which is to wish someone to “have thousands of cows"

Gen Muhoozi, who is also President Museveni’s advisor on special operations, arrived in Rwanda on Sunday April 23 to celebrate his birthday.

He was flanked by officials from Uganda including Ministers Jim Muhwezi, Norbert Mao, Kitgum District woman MP Lillian Aber and journalist and entrepreneur Andrew Mwenda, among others.

Speaking at the dinner hosted at the Rwandan State House also known as Urugwiro, President Kagame said the relationship between Uganda and Rwanda has greatly improved.

“We are seeing peace between our two countries. You can have peace but at the same time, you may not be friends. But this time, I think we have both. We are friends and we are at peace.”

Kagame also hailed Muhoozi for the part he played in shaping peace between both countries and for being the bridge used to cross from one side to another.

Muhoozi is not the first person to receive such a gift from President Kagame. He also gifted President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda in 2011 and the late John Pombe Magufuli of Tanzania in 2016, among other people.