UPDF and RDF Proximity Commanders Meet In Mbarara City to Discuss Border Security

Today morning, UPDF 2 Infantry Division received a military Delegation from Rwanda Defence Forces at Mirama border post in Ntugamo District.

 

The delegation comprises of military officers from RDF 2 Infantry Division, RDF 5 Infantry Division and Rwanda Defence Advisor to Uganda, Col Emmanuel Ruzindana.

 

These are Commanders from proximity units along our borders and have actively been engaged in handling cross border crime and security together with other stakeholders.

 

The UPDF 2 Infantry Division Commander, Maj Gen Paul Muhanguzi received Rwandan Military delegation Mirama Hills. Brig Gen Pascal Muhizi, RDF 5 Infantry Division leads the Rwandan delegation.

 

While making opening remarks at the Igongo Country Hotel and Cultural centre in Mbarara city Maj Gen Paul Muhanguzi expressed gratitude to RDF Commanders for coming to Uganda. “your coming, continues to demonstrate to us a strong desire and commitment towards the vision of our beloved Heads of State; HE Gen Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda and HE Gen (Rtd) Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda”, he said.

 

The meeting is focussed on reviewing earlier deliberations and assessing progress so far made in creating a conducive environment for prosperity of our Border communities and therefore, our Nations at large.

 

He highlighted the steps made towards curtailing cross border crime and henceforth promoting security for both of us “am confident that significant steps have been made since the initiation of proximity Commanders’ meetings, Commanders regularly communicate especially when handling Cross border security brelated issues. “I therefore salute Commanders for this Milestone” Maj Gen Muhanguzi.

 

He appealed for Commanders to continue relating harmoniously in order to achieve the gland objective of Commanders in Chief of the two Forces and Chiefs of Defence Forces; Gen Muhoozi Keinerugaba, UPDF Chief of Defence Forces and Gen Mubarakh Muganga, RDF Chief of Defence Staff.

 

“This will lead to a great improvement in the way border communities relate in aspects of security, prosperity and overall socio economic transformation of our countries”, he said.

 

On his part, the head of RDF delegation brig Gen Pascal Muhizi expressed gratitude to UPDF for the warn reception accorded to the delegation, “on behalf of my delegation and on my own behalf, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to you for the warm reception accorded to us, your hospitality and generosity are really greatly appreciated ” he said.

 

Brig Gen Pascal, also emphasized the fact that a lot has been achieved since the commencement of proximity Commanders’ meetings,

” this shows that all of us understand the importance of these interactions aimed at addressing challenges we normally face along our borders” he Said.

 

Gen Pascal Muhizi urged military Commanders and Staff officers to maintain the same spirit and invest more effort in order to fullfil our Commander’s intent. He concluded his opening remarks by thanking UPDF and RDF Commanders in Chief and Chiefs of Defence Forces for both Armies.

 

Present were; Col Armstrong Nduga, UPDF 2 Infantry Division Operations and Training officer, Brigade Commanders, Battalion Commanders and Intelligence Officers .

 

Both delegations made a courtesy call on District Leaders Ntugamo and Rukiga at Ntugamo District Headquarters.

 

The meeting will run for three days. Previous meetings were held in Nyagatare and Musanze in Rwanda as well as Mbarara City.