Uganda to release 170 Rwandan prisoners to promote normalization of ties

KIGALI, May 16 (NNN-Xinhua) — Uganda is set to release 170 Rwandans who have been under its detention, Rwandan Foreign Minister Vincent Biruta said at a press conference.

It is “an important step” towards the implementation of the Luanda Agreements, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed last year for normalizing bilateral relations, said the minister.

The COVID-19 epidemic has affected the ongoing talks between Rwanda and Uganda, leading to the delay of planned meetings, but the two countries continued to hold talks virtually in order to reach common understanding, Biruta said.

Biruta also said that the ad hoc committee composed of foreign ministers and security officers from both countries has been planning to meet virtually to review progress in the implementation of the Luanda Agreements.

Rwanda closed its border in February last year, accusing Uganda of incarcerating its citizens. Uganda denied the allegation and accused Rwanda of infiltrating its security circle.

The leaders of Rwanda, Uganda, Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo attended the 4th quadripartite summit in February and recommended a timetable for normalizing bilateral relations between the two neighboring countries.