The visit of Rwanda’s Prime Minister, Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva, to Uganda came at a time when the East African region is closely watching the changing dynamics between Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Dr. Nsengiyumva arrived at Entebbe International Airport on May 11, 2026, where he was received by Uganda’s State Minister for Kampala, Kyofatogabye Kabuye. He traveled to Uganda to represent President Paul Kagame at the swearing-in ceremony of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who was re-elected to continue leading Uganda following the January 2026 presidential election.
Museveni, who ran under the ruling NRM party, won the election with 71.65% of the vote, defeating Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, widely known as Bobi Wine, who secured 24.72%, while Nandala Mafabi obtained 1.88%, with the remaining candidates sharing the rest.
The inauguration ceremony, scheduled for May 12, 2026, at Kololo Grounds, is expected to attract several heads of state and senior government representatives. Among the leaders already received in Uganda are South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir and Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
However, the visit by Rwanda’s Prime Minister drew particular attention because it coincided with another high-profile trip to Kampala by Democratic Republic of Congo President Félix Tshisekedi, who was also expected to hold major talks with President Museveni.
The strengthening ties between Kampala and Kinshasa gained new momentum after the ninth session of the joint bilateral commission between Uganda and the DRC, held in Kampala from May 8 to May 10, 2026. During the meetings, both sides reviewed expert reports focusing on security cooperation, trade, and infrastructure development along their shared border.
On May 11, 2026, Presidents Tshisekedi and Museveni were expected to sign six new cooperation agreements at the State House aimed at deepening bilateral relations between Uganda and the DRC.
The agreements include major projects involving the construction of modern border posts and cross-border markets in Kasindi, Bunagana, and Mahagi to facilitate trade and boost regional economic integration.
Both leaders also emphasized that the renewed cooperation seeks to improve security and strengthen cross-border commerce, while experts from both countries were instructed to accelerate implementation of the agreements within three months.
The coincidence of Dr. Nsengiyumva’s visit and Tshisekedi’s trip to Kampala sparked speculation among regional observers about Uganda’s growing role as a strategic mediator and power broker in the Great Lakes region, particularly at a time when tensions between Kigali and Kinshasa remain high over insecurity in eastern Congo.
Although no meeting between Rwandan and Congolese officials was officially announced during the visits, the simultaneous presence of both delegations in Kampala once again highlighted Uganda’s increasingly influential position in regional diplomacy and security affairs.
For Rwanda, sending the Prime Minister to Museveni’s inauguration was widely interpreted as a strong sign of the improving relations between Kigali and Kampala after years of diplomatic tensions and border disputes.
In recent years, Rwanda and Uganda have steadily rebuilt ties through cooperation in security, trade, and development initiatives.
On April 22, 2026, the two countries signed new cooperation agreements covering sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, education, and local governance.
The renewed partnership between Kigali and Kampala has led many analysts to believe that Uganda is positioning itself as a key regional bridge capable of balancing relations with different governments, especially as the conflict in eastern Congo continues to affect diplomatic relations across East Africa.
Some observers also believe that Museveni’s decision to host high-level delegations from both Kigali and Kinshasa at the same time reflects Uganda’s determination to maintain close ties with both sides despite ongoing disagreements between Rwanda and the DRC over security concerns and armed groups operating in eastern Congo.
From a diplomatic perspective, Dr. Nsengiyumva’s visit underscored Rwanda’s commitment to maintaining strong relations with Uganda and supporting Museveni during a politically significant moment as he begins another presidential term.
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