President Yoweri Museveni will not be joining the over 26 heads of state that are set to attend the African Union (AU) Extra Ordinary Heads of State Summit on Continental Free Trade Area taking place in Kigali, Rwanda.
The meeting which opened over the weekend and ends on March 23 is expected to formally launch the African Continental Free Trade Area Treaty.
The Senior Presidential Press Secretary, Don Wanyama confirmed to this website that President Yoweri Museveni will not be attending the Summit. Instead, he has delegated Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sam Kutesa to represent him.
Twenty six (26) heads of State have confirmed attendance, while several other delegations that will hold preparatory meetings are already in Kigali.
Several meetings including the Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC) of the African Union (AU) and the 18th Extraordinary Session of the Executive Council of the AU (happening today) will precede the signing of the agreement to launch the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) come Wednesday, March 21.
It is not clear why President Museveni is snubbing the high level summit. This is the second time he has failed to appear in Rwanda for an important occassion.
Two months ago, the President delegated Foreign Minister Kutesa to visit Rwanda and hold talks with Rwandan President, Paul Kagame.
Kutesa’s visit had occurred in the wake of growing tension between Uganda and Rwanda characterized by counter accusations from the two neighbouring countries. The Kampala administration accused Rwanda of masterminding illegal repatriations of Rwandan refugees living in Uganda while Kagame’s government alleged that Uganda was hosting rebels with intentions to destabilize Rwanda.
The friction in relations had prompted Rwanda to pen down a protest note to Uganda in December last year, demanding “the highest attention by Ugandan authorities, and remedy without delay,” to concerns relating to ” multiple unjustified arrests, failure to notify the Diplomatic representation of Rwanda in Uganda and mistreatment of Rwandan citizens” in Uganda.
Earlier, Ugandan media had quoted several Ugandan government officials concerned about Rwanda’s 2-year endless propaganda against Uganda and President Museveni in particular, on several news sites close to the Rwandan Government. The officials advised Rwanda to use existing diplomatic channels if there any issues.
Weeks ago, on February 22 when President Museveni hosted the East African Community (EAC) Heads of State Summit on Infrastructure and Health Financing, his Rwandan counterpart, President Kagame was not in attendance.