KIGALI — Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, played a friendly basketball game with Rwandan President Paul Kagame during his official visit to Kigali, in a moment that highlighted the warm ties between the two countries.
The basketball encounter was shared by Ugandan journalist Andrew Mwenda, who posted pictures of himself playing alongside President Kagame and Gen. Kainerugaba.
“Playing basketball with the president of Rwanda @PaulKagame and the CDF of Uganda @mkainerugaba,” Mwenda wrote on X. “The messes I made would win me a sport in the Guinness Book of World Records as most disastrous player of all time.”
The informal sporting moment came during Gen. Kainerugaba’s two-day visit to Rwanda, where discussions focused on bilateral cooperation, regional peace, security, and stability.
Rwanda’s Presidency said President Kagame received Gen. Kainerugaba on Saturday for talks centred on strengthening relations between the two neighbouring countries.
“President Kagame today received General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Chief of Defence Forces of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF). Their discussions focused on the strong bilateral cooperation between Rwanda and Uganda, as well as regional peace, security, and stability,” the Presidency said.
During the visit, Gen. Kainerugaba also toured several infrastructure projects in Kigali, including the expansion of King Faisal Hospital.
The hospital project, which is being expanded from an initial 200-bed facility to a 400-bed modern medical centre, will include an intensive care unit, VVIP wings, and a helipad.
The CDF was guided through the project by Kigali City Mayor Sam Dusengiyumva. He also visited Nyandungu Eco Park and Parklane Estate, a residential development in Kigali’s Gacuriro neighbourhood.
The visit comes as Uganda and Rwanda continue efforts to strengthen diplomatic relations following years of strained ties, including the temporary closure of the Gatuna/Katuna border in 2019 amid disagreements between the two countries.
Officials from both sides have recently emphasised cooperation in trade, security, and regional stability.
However, the public appearance also generated debate online, with some commentators questioning the symbolism of the meeting given past regional tensions and concerns raised by critics about political and security issues involving Rwanda.
The Ugandan government has maintained that engagement between the two countries is important for promoting peace and cooperation in the region.
