Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni has warned those who want to cause trouble in the grate lakes region saying the country is well prepared to deal with them.
Museveni sounded the warning on Thursday while addressing the nation following the budget speech that was read by Finance Minister, Matia Kasaija.
“On regional relations, Uganda has built capacity to offer support when called upon by any of our brotherly neighbours. In Uganda, those who tried to destabilise our security through criminal activities have been defeated,” Museveni warned.
His warning came days after the death of Burundi President Pierre Nkurunziza, who succumbed to heart attack.
However, Museveni made no mention of those his warning was aimed at only mourning the death of the former president.
“My condolences to the people of Burundi, on the demise of H.E President Pierre Nkurunziza who died earlier in the week. May his soul rest in peace,” Museveni said.
Nkurunziza’s came just weeks before the president was meant to hand over power to political ally Evariste Ndayishimiye, the winner of last month’s presidential election, bringing down the curtain on a 15-year reign whose latter part was marked by political violence and increasing criticism over the government’s response to dissent.
Burundi’s regional and international relations have ranged from frosty to toxic. Burundi blamed the failed coup attempt against Nkurunziza in 2015 on its northern neighbour, Rwanda. Bilateral relations and trust plunged to an all time low.
Rwanda saw Burundi as sympathetic to the FDLR rebels in the DRC fighting against the Rwanda government. In turn, Burundi accused its neighbour of actively supporting opponents of Burundi’s own regime. Many of those opponents found shelter in Rwanda. So did thousands of refugees.
Burundi took exception to this. Nkurunziza’s personal relationship with Rwandan leader Paul Kagame was, at best, frosty. His death presents the ideal opportunity to reset relations between Burundi and Rwanda.
