The Commander of Land Forces of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF)

“We held very cordial and in-depth discussions about how to improve our bilateral relations. I’m confident that under the leadership of our two Presidents we shall be able to quickly restore our historical good relations,” Kainerugaba said.

The two leaders enjoyed amicable talks Pulse Live Uganda

To add icing on the cake of this triumphant visit, Kainerugaba did not return empty handed as he managed to have freed a Ugandan Special Forces (SFC) soldier who had been held by Rwanda. The officer returned with Kainerugaba.

“I further thank President Kagame for honouring my request to release our SFC soldier, Private Ronald Arinda, who strayed into Rwandan territory on personal business without permission. I returned with him tonight to Uganda. Long live the friendship of the two countries,” Muhoozi added.

Rwanda, in a statement from the Presidency, said: “President Kagame and General Muhoozi had cordial, productive and forward-looking discussions about Rwanda’s concerns and practical steps needed to restore the relationship between Rwanda and Uganda.”

The relations between the two countries have been rocky, but they received a shot in the arm after Uganda's Permanent Representative of Uganda to the United Nations Ambassador Adonia Ayebare delivered a special message to Kigali a few days ago.

It was believed that the message Ayebare delivered was an olive branch, an inducement to set the ball towards repairing relations between the two countries in motion.

Before that, Kainerugaba indicated that certain overtures between Kigali and Kampala would be made when he tweeted favourably about Kagame a week ago.

‘’This is my uncle, Afande Paul Kagame. Those who fight him are fighting my family. They should all be careful,” Muhoozi said in a tweet, with two pictures of Kagame accompanying his words to make absolutely clear that he was talking about the president of Rwanda and not any other Paul Kagame.

The two generals pose for a photo Pulse Live Uganda

Although, after Kagame and Ayebare met, relations seemed on the ropes again after the Rwandan government spokesperson Yolande Makolo tweeted, “Good to see talks continue at all levels, but meetings and envoy visits have not led to tangible results on Uganda’s part. Still no accountability for terrorist elements operating against Rwanda inside Uganda, and harassment of innocent Rwandans continues.”

However, this tweet proved to be merely a reminder of where relations between the two countries were instead of where they were going.

Two years ago, the presidents of Rwanda Paul Kagame and Uganda Yoweri Museveni signed an agreement in Angola to normalise relations between the two countries after Rwanda closed the Gatuna border in February 2019 as each country blamed the other for violating the other’s sovereignty.

Rwanda accused Uganda of supporting the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), an armed rebel group operating in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and the Rwanda National Congress (RNC), a Rwandan opposition group. The two entities, it is said, are both allegedly trying to topple Kagame.

The Ugandan government has denied both allegations.

On Uganda’s part, Museveni accuses Rwanda of infiltrating Uganda’s security agencies with a prime eye on regime change, a claim that Official Kigali denies.