Rwakitura, (UG):- President Yoweri Museveni Saturday hosted the former Inspector General of Police, Gen Kale Kayihura sparking widespread speculation about the latter’s return to the political scene.
The meeting, held at the President’s country home in Rwakitura coincided with Museveni’s visit to Isingiro where he attended the thanksgiving ceremony of Minister of State for Animal Industry, Lt Col (Rtd) Bright Rwamirama and his wife Flora Rwamirama.
Held in the privacy of Museveni’s Rwakitura home, the Saturday interaction comes amidst growing speculation about reconciliation between the President and Gen Kayihura, his former confidant.
Although discussions from the meeting were not made public by press time, political analysts suggest the move signals a potential mending of relations. “Kayihura was not just a key figure in Museveni’s security apparatus; he was a symbol of loyalty and trust within the NRM,” Tumweine Simpson, a political analyst from Kisoro says.
He adds; “This meeting could be Museveni’s way of extending an olive branch, particularly as he seeks to consolidate his base ahead of the 2026 elections.”
Saturday’s reunion between H.E. Museveni and Kayihura has also reignited conversations about Uganda’s strained relations with Rwanda, with some observers wondering whether the meeting could pave the way for broader reconciliation between the two countries.
While neither Museveni nor Kayihura has issued a public statement about the meeting, it is widely seen as an effort to turn the page on a fraught chapter in their relationship.
For Kayihura, once a symbol of Museveni’s inner circle, the encounter could signal the start of a gradual return to political relevance.
Once regarded as Museveni’s “blue-eyed boy” and confidant, Gen Kayihura played a pivotal role in the National Resistance Army (NRA) war that brought Museveni to power in 1986.
Over the years, he rose through the ranks to become one of the President’s most trusted aides, serving as military assistant before being appointed Inspector General of Police in 2005.
However, Kayihura’s career took a dramatic turn in 2018 when he was arrested and charged with offences including the illegal repatriation of Rwandan refugees.
His arrest came at a time of heightened tensions between Uganda and Rwanda, fueled by mutual accusations of espionage and economic sabotage. The fallout strained relations between the two neighbours and cast a shadow over Kayihura’s legacy.
Kayihura, who hails from Kisoro, an influential National Resistance Movement (NRM) stronghold, remains a polarizing figure in Ugandan politics. His roots in Kisoro have long bolstered his standing in the NRM, and his appearance alongside his family at Rwakitura adds a personal dimension to the otherwise high-stakes interaction.
Do you have a story or an opinion to share? Email us on: [email protected] Or join the Daily Express WhatsApp channel for all the latest news and trends or join the Telegram Channel for the latest updates.
