Military commanders from Rwanda and Uganda met in Mbarara on Thursday to review security along their common border and discuss ways to strengthen cooperation between their forces.
The eighth Proximity Commanders’ Meeting brought together a delegation from the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) led by Maj. Gen. Ruki Karusisi, commander of the RDF’s 5th Division, and officers from the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF).
Maj. Gen. Paul Muhanguzi, commander of the UPDF’s 2nd Division, welcomed the Rwandan delegation and said the security of the two countries was closely connected.
Muhanguzi said the relationship between Rwanda and Uganda went beyond their shared border and called for continued cooperation between the two militaries to protect communities living on both sides.
He also thanked the leaders of the two countries and their military authorities for supporting efforts to strengthen cooperation and relations between Rwanda and Uganda.
Karusisi said the border should remain an area of peace, lawful movement, trade and cooperation rather than a source of insecurity or misunderstanding.
He said commanders on both sides had a responsibility to maintain dialogue, build trust between the two forces and address emerging issues through communication and coordination.
Karusisi also said the positive relationship between Rwanda and Uganda was an important basis for strengthening military cooperation.
Before the meeting, the RDF and UPDF delegations joined local authorities and residents in Kamwezi, Rukiga District, for a tree-planting exercise.
The Proximity Commanders’ Meeting is held quarterly and provides a regular forum for commanders from the two forces to assess security along the common border and discuss issues affecting communities in the area.
The meetings are also intended to strengthen coordination between the RDF and UPDF and find solutions to cross-border security concerns.
The latest meeting is the eighth since the forum was established and reflects continued military-level engagement between Rwanda and Uganda on security matters along their shared frontier.
