Rwanda-Uganda FEUD
Rwanda's closing of its border seems to have hurt Uganda's economy seriously. We may never be sure of the extent of the damage; however, Uganda seems to need Rwanda's market more than Rwanda needs Uganda's. Or, Rwanda’s economy is more resilient such that they could keep away from trading with Uganda.
There will be lessons learned from the border standoff on both sides, which should illustrate to us that having a good neighbor is great for the economy.
For whatever reasons the two leaders have a feud with each other, Rwanda's case is much clearer that one should not benefit from an economy that he is attempting to destroy or destabilize.
Rwanda has had complaints against Uganda – mostly that Uganda's security has illegally held Rwandan nationals and tortured some for spying for Rwanda. Many of us in Uganda do not understand this complaint. The difference between Rwandese and Ugandans, especially in the security circles is hard for us to tell. What we know is that most of the Ugandan army and security personnel are children and bazukulu of former Rwandese refugees in Uganda, most of whom helped Museveni shoot his way to power in 1986. President Kagame was one of them.
Further, “Rwandese” is a contrived tribe recognized in the 1995 Ugandan constitution. In fact, people of Rwanda or Ugandans of Rwandese origin seem to enjoy unfettered privileges and favours in Uganda than say, former Sudanese, Kenyans or Congolese refugees. In fact, most indigenous Ugandans do not have such luxuries in their own country as our cousins from Rwanda. At least, from the impression that the common Ugandan has.
As for Rwanda’s security concerns, Ugandans were mostly aware of a Ms. Charlotte Mukankuusi, a former Rwandan ambassador who abdicated duty and was later seen visiting Mr. Museveni in Uganda and was given a Ugandan Passport. We still do not know why she was privileged to that level.
Underneath all this brouhaha, the Daily Monitor of February 19, 2020, outlined a few security concerns that Rwanda has leveled against Uganda (read Museveni). Rwanda claims that Museveni is harbouring Rwandan dissidents, rebels and terrorists. These are serious allegations.
Both Mr. Museveni and his son have croaked about a potential source of an attack on Uganda. Mr. Museveni once warned that whoever was planning to destabilize Uganda to watch their backs because once he (Museveni) mobilizes his military resources, those people would be in trouble. Recently, his son tweeted that whoever tries to attack Uganda would face the full impact of the empire force.
The big question is, why would Uganda want to destabilize Rwanda? In fairness of things, Rwanda may be like Uganda on many fronts. However, Rwanda has set itself a stride away on its social policies to meaningfully eradicate poverty and reduce social inequalities; Rwanda has built a defined stable economy and recently Rwanda released it's first homemade (assembled) Volkswagen.
In short, Rwanda has made a more quantitative and qualitative socio-economic progress than Uganda within the same timeframe. Rwanda has done much better in managing rent-seeking or political corruption among its political elites and public services when compared to Uganda.
It seems President Kagame does not lie and despises liars. It is most likely that his accusation of Uganda has grains.
If Rwanda has a legitimate security concern, let the government of Uganda respond to these concerns so the borders are opened. I am sure that Museveni would not have rested for one second had Rwanda hosted or been seen to support Uganda rebels. I believe it is written somewhere in the Bible that do to others what you want done to you.
The feud between Kagame and his former mentor, Mr. Museveni is affecting ordinary Ugandans who draw their livelihood by trading in Rwanda's market.
End.
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