The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Luanda, Angola | AFP | Neighbouring Rwanda and Uganda agreed a deal on Sunday to swap prisoners to help ease tensions following mutual accusations of spying and political meddling.
In the deal signed on Sunday by Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame and Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni in the Angolan capital Luanda, the two sides agreed to “the release of the national citizens of each country.”
It was agreed in the meeting in Luanda, for “the release of the national citizens of each country, duly identified and included in the lists exchanged for this purpose”.
No details were given on when or how the exchange would take place, or how many people it might involve.
Kagame and Museveni were once close allies but their relations have turned deeply hostile.
Kigali and Kampala signed a deal in August last year to improve political and economic relations, but progress has since been slow.
But the two leaders, who met at a summit hosted by Angolan President Joao Lourenco, and alongside Democratic Republic of Congo President Felix Tshisekedi, pledged to take “steps towards peace, stability, good neighbourliness and restoring mutual trust.”
They also agreed the two sides would meet again on February 21 for more talks at Katuna, a common border post between the nations.
The next Quadripartite Summit will be preceded by a meeting of the Ad Hoc Commission to assess the implementation of decisions mentioned in the latest meeting in Luanda.
“Both parties must refrain from all factors that may create the perception of supporting, financing, training and infiltration of destabilising forces in their neighbour’s territory,” the agreement read.
Rwanda abruptly closed the border with its northern neighbour in February last year, severing a major economic land route.
The country has also accused Uganda of abducting its citizens and supporting rebels seeking to overthrow its government.
Then in May Ugandan police accused Rwandan soldiers of entering the country and killing two men — a claim which Kigali denied.
