The Government of Uganda has released a statement

In a letter widely circulated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Rwanda, Kigali indicated its intent to reopen the border as an initial step towards normalising relations between Uganda and Uganda.

In Kampala, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has welcomed this fresh chapter in the harmonising of interests between the two countries.

“We appreciate the efforts by the two Heads of State; His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and His Excellency Paul Kagame towards the restoration of the strong historical bilateral ties, crucial for the well-being of the peoples of both countries. We look forward to continued cooperation in addressing any obstacles to our cordial relations. The Government of Uganda remains committed to ongoing efforts to resolve pending issues between our two countries,” reads a statement from Uganda’s ministry of foreign affairs.

The ministry also applauded the signal role played by Lt. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Senior Presidential Advisor on Special Operations and Commander of Land Forces of Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF), in repairing the previously fractured relations between Uganda and Rwanda.

Kainerugaba, whose visit to Rwanda on January 22, 2022, “gave the assurance to the Government of Rwanda on Uganda’s commitment to addressing the remaining obstacles, hence reopening the border on January 31, 2022,” said the ministry.

The ministry also acknowledged the representative sent by the government of Rwanda to attend the official burial ceremony of the late Bank of Uganda Governor, Emmanuel Tumusiime-Mutebile.

Rwanda’s official representative to the late governor’s burial is the former African Development Bank President, Dr. Donald Kaberuka.

Mutebile’s burial shall be on Sunday in Kabale district, Uganda.

On the reopening of the border, Rwanda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that their decision was prompted by the January 22 2022, visit of Kainerugaba to closed talks with the president of Rwanda, Paul Kagame.

Rwanda said the visit was a statement of intent on the part of the Uganda government to resolve any bones of contention between the two countries with a view to strengthening diplomatic ties.

“Following the visit to Rwanda of Lt. Gen. Kainerugaba on January 22 2022, the Government of Rwanda has taken note that there is a process to solve issues raised by Rwanda, as well as commitments made by the Government of Rwanda to address the remaining obstacles.”

Rwanda added that “in this regard and in line with the communique of the 4th Quadripartite Summit held at Gatuna/Katuna on February 21, 2020 the Government of Rwanda wishes to inform the public that the Gatuna Post between Rwanda and Uganda will be reopened from January 31, 2022.”

In the same statement, Rwanda also said that the health authorities of Rwanda and Uganda will join initiatives to implement measures facilitating movement “in the context of Covid-19”.

“The Government of Rwanda remains committed to ongoing efforts to resolve pending issues between Rwanda and Uganda and believes that today's (Thursday) announcement will contribute to the speedy normalization of relations between the two countries,” the statement reads.