Senior military commanders from Rwanda and Uganda have reaffirmed their commitment to deepen security cooperation along the common border, pledging closer intelligence sharing and coordinated action against illegal cross-border activities.
The commitment emerged from a three-day Proximity Commanders’ Meeting that brought together senior officers from the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) 2nd and 5th Infantry Divisions and the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) 2nd Infantry Division in Mbarara.
The meeting, which concluded on August 29, is part of a long-running military dialogue aimed at strengthening confidence, improving border security and preventing crimes that affect communities living along the frontier.
The Rwandan delegation was led by Maj. Gen. Ruki Karusisi, Commander of the RDF 5th Infantry Division, while the Ugandan side was represented by commanders from the UPDF 2nd Infantry Division. The closing ceremony was presided over by Maj. Gen. Felix Busizori, the UPDF Deputy Commander of Land Forces.
Busizori praised the growing cooperation between the three divisions, saying their collaboration has been instrumental in managing and resolving emerging security challenges along the Rwanda–Uganda border.
He said continued partnership between the two armed forces is essential not only for safeguarding territorial security but also for ensuring peace and stability for citizens living in border districts.
The senior officer further called for sustained joint efforts to combat illegal activities, including cross-border smuggling and other transnational crimes, stressing that regular exchange of intelligence remains critical to effective operations.
According to Busizori, the cooperation reflects the shared commitment of the defence ministries of both countries and the strategic guidance of their respective Commanders-in-Chief in addressing common security threats.
The Proximity Commanders’ Meetings have become an important confidence-building mechanism since relations between Kigali and Kampala improved following years of diplomatic tensions.
In recent years, both governments have prioritized military-to-military engagement, intelligence cooperation and coordinated border management as part of broader efforts to normalize bilateral relations.
The renewed commitments reached in Mbarara are expected to reinforce operational coordination between frontline commanders and enhance security for communities on both sides of the Rwanda–Uganda border.
