Thousands of Rwandans lined up on the roadsides from Katuna border to Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda, to welcome President Museveni, who is on a four-day visit to attend the 26th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (Chogm).
Mr Museveni is expected to also meet Rwanda President Paul Kagame to strengthen ties and find solutions to the fighting in eastern DR Congo.
And right from the Gatuna border between the two countries, Museveni received a warm welcome. He proceeded to Kigali where there were multitudes of people awaiting his arrival.
These flooded the streets of the city and one could have thought that they were welcoming a big sports or entertainment figure. But no, it was the Ugandan president. It was the president of Uganda who some Ugandans feel have had enough. Yet the Rwandese could have made you feel that they would gladly exchange him for Kagame.
“The President is due to attend the Commonwealth Business Forum Heads of Government and Business Leaders Roundtable at the Intare Conference Arena. Later he will host various bilateral meetings at his residence,” a State House statement issued yesterday reads in part.
Counter accusations
Uganda was accusing the Rwanda government of spying on them, while Rwanda accused Uganda of supporting Rwandan dissidents to topple President Kagame’s government and also persecuting their nationals.
Mr Museveni and Mr Kagame’s friendly relationship was reignited after negotiations in which each country agreed to end hostilities.
In April this year, Mr Kagame visited Uganda ending the hostilities.
President Museveni has been popular given the fact that many of the leaders of the Rwanda Patriotic Front that overthrew the previous government were members of the Uganda National Resistance Army (now Uganda People’s Defence Forces).
However, the relations between the leaders of the two countries have been on and off after the armies of Rwanda and Uganda fought in the DR Congo twice between 1998 and 2003.
The visit also comes at the time when tensions between Rwanda and DR Congo are rising over relentless attacks by the M23 rebel group, which is dominated by fighters of Rwandan origin.
Border issue
This prompted the DR Congo to close its borders and also cancel all bilateral agreements with Rwanda. The M23 rebels group, which the DR Congo alleges is sponsored by Rwanda, have also blocked Uganda’s key trade route to Eastern DR Congo, after its members captured Bunagana border town on the Congolese side.
Uganda is now friendly to both warring countries.
Some Congolese politicians, who have been accusing Uganda of siding with Rwanda in the alleged support of M23 rebels, using their social media platforms viewed President Museveni’s visit to Rwanda as furthering military ties against the Congolese troops in Eastern DR Congo.
Last week, DR Congo President Felix Tshisekedi wrote a public letter to heads of State that will attend Chogm in Kigali to demand Rwanda to stop the aggression on his country and also withdraw their troops from Congolese territory.
President Museveni’s welcome occasion in Kigali the capital city of Rwanda left people’s tongues on social media wagging
Comments started flying in from both the opponents, supporters and public figures in regards to this welcome.
NTV presenter Faridah Nakazibwe wondered if Museveni paid these crowds in Kigali to welcome him. This was a jab to the Museveni critics who always claim that he pays people to appear in numbers at his rallies.
“But this man mzeei. He still bribed people in Rwanda to welcome him,” Faridah wondered which drove in a number of hostile reactions to her. Some of her followers accused her of pampering the president yet they ‘know’ that she is opposition through and through.
But this man mzeei. He still bribed people in Rwanda to welcome him. pic.twitter.com/w7eSebgchV
— Faridah Nakazibwe (@fsnakazibwe) June 23, 2022
“Here when he’s passing they take him speed. How shall we show him that love? Kigali etulabisa,” Galaxy FM presenter Prim Asiimwe also reacted to the parade of people Museveni received.
Here when he’s passing they take him speed . How shall we show him that love. Kigali etulabisa 😒😒
— Prim Asiimwe (@PrimAsiimwe) June 23, 2022
And of all the people who commented on this development, we all know that someone’s remark couldn’t miss. This is none other than the first son and commander of the Land Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
He took to praising his father as a true Muchwezi adding that he’s loved beyond borders. Furthermore, he said that Uganda and Rwanda are one country.
President @KagutaMuseveni arriving in Kigali! You can try to fight Bachwezi but you'll always lose. Inkotayani cyane! Abanyarwanda murakoze cyane! pic.twitter.com/OvgZjDnsoJ
— Muhoozi Kainerugaba (@mkainerugaba) June 23, 2022
The comments were numerous although most Ugandan social media users were less enthusiastic about this welcome towards the old man with the hat.
