The government of Uganda has dismissed media reports that its relations with neighbouring Rwanda are at their worst. Government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday refuted the claims and stated that the bilateral ties between both states remain “cordial and strong”.
“The Ministry treats with contempt allegations carried by Red Pepper or platforms to the effect that relations between Rwanda and Uganda are anything but strong and cordial,” a statement released by Ambassador Patrick Mugoya the Permanent Secretary in Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs read in part.
The clarification follows a story published in one of Uganda’s daily tabloid, ‘Red Pepper’ on Monday November 20 titled ‘Museveni Plotting to Overthrow Kagame’.
The cover story further alleged that President Yoweri Museveni’s brother Gen. Salim Saleh, Security Minister Lt. Gen. Henry Tumukunde and the government of France were “pinned in a coup plot” to topple Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame.
But in his statement, Ambassador Mugoya denied the contents of the news story and regarded it as “mischievous at best, irresponsible at worst and meant to sow discord between our two sister nations”.
“The Ministry condemns such abuse of the communication platforms they are privileged to manage.”
The Ministry maintains that there has been no complaints raised through the agreed official channels by either state and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has no reason to suggest anything to the contrary.
“The Ministry categorically states that the relations between Rwanda and Uganda remain solid and Rwanda remains a strategic partner to Uganda in both our visions for integration and for peace and security in the region,” Ambassador Mugoya said.
He added that there are established venues, procedures and mechanisms through which any discontentment and misunderstandings between both countries may be raised and addressed but the press is none of them.
Mugoya urged the public to ignore any alleged list of grievances against Uganda by Rwanda which is expertly planted and regurgitated in various media outlets.