The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) 2 Infantry Division and the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) 5 Infantry Division over the weekend reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening military cooperation and promoting peace and stability along the shared border between the two countries.
The commitment was made during the Eighth Proximity Commanders’ Meeting in Mbarara City, which brought together senior commanders from the two sister forces to discuss security and other issues affecting communities along the Uganda-Rwanda border, as well as ways of deepening cooperation between the two armies.
The Deputy Commander of Land Forces, Major General Felix Busizori, commended the leadership of Presidents Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and Paul Kagame of Rwanda for supporting the engagement.
Maj Gen Busizori thanked the two Chiefs of Defence Forces for facilitating the meeting, saying such engagements contribute to peace and security, mutual understanding and improved working methods between the two forces.
He noted that stronger cooperation between the two countries was important for economic development, despite challenges such as cultural differences, geopolitical dynamics and resource constraints.
Maj Gen Busizori urged the commanders to sustain sensitisation of both military personnel and border communities, build trust between the two forces and maintain the spirit of collaboration.
The Commander of the UPDF 2 Infantry Division, Maj Gen Paul Muhanguzi, appreciated the leadership and people of Rukiga District for supporting the engagement, as well as Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) officers from both forces for organising a joint tree-planting activity.
Maj Gen Muhanguzi said the meeting provided an opportunity for the commanders to address challenges openly and frankly, with discussions guided by honesty and a shared commitment to finding solutions.
He emphasised the importance of maintaining good relations with border communities, describing them as a critical source of information for security forces.
“Our border communities are our strength if we utilise them well, but we risk losing valuable intelligence if we do not treat them well” he said.
Maj Gen Muhanguzi also recalled instances of cooperation between the two forces, including assistance provided by the RDF in locating Ugandan students who became separated from their group during a study tour in the Virunga region.
Speaking on behalf of the RDF delegation, Brig Gen Ruki Karusisi commended the UPDF leadership, from the Commander-in-Chief to the Chief of Defence Forces, for their commitment to strengthening relations between the two armies.
