Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame and General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), have held high level bilateral talks on security and investment matters in kigali.
The discussions centred on strengthening bilateral cooperation between Rwanda and Uganda, with particular emphasis on advancing regional peace, security, and stability in the Great Lakes region—an area that continues to face complex geopolitical and security challenges.
According to Rwanda’s Presidency, President Kagame and General Muhoozi exchanged views on the state of relations between the two nations and explored avenues for enhancing cooperation on issues of mutual interest. Their conversations also focused on the broader regional security landscape, underscoring the importance of coordinated efforts in promoting lasting peace and stability across East and Central Africa.
General Muhoozi’s visit reflects the increasingly strategic role defence diplomacy is playing in strengthening political relations between neighbouring states. Military-to-military engagement has become a key pillar in confidence-building, complementing wider efforts aimed at improving trade, cross-border movement, and regional integration.
The Great Lakes region remains central to the security priorities of both Rwanda and Uganda, particularly amid ongoing instability in parts of the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Analysts have consistently argued that sustained dialogue among regional actors is critical to addressing cross-border security threats, combating armed groups, and supporting regional economic development.
For both Kigali and Kampala, maintaining open channels of communication at the highest levels is increasingly viewed as essential for preventing misunderstandings and reinforcing cooperation on shared strategic interests.
The meeting also reflects the broader commitment by both governments to support regional mechanisms that promote peaceful conflict resolution, collective security, and stronger diplomatic engagement within the East African Community (EAC) and the wider African continent.
As Rwanda and Uganda continue to strengthen bilateral relations, Sunday’s engagement between President Kagame and General Muhoozi is expected to further consolidate the positive trajectory in ties between the two countries, while reaffirming their shared responsibility in safeguarding regional peace and stability.
Later Kagame and Muhoozi shared a friendly basketball playing session.
