Senior officials from Rwanda and Uganda have convened in Kampala for the 12th Session of the Joint Permanent Commission (JPC), a three-day diplomatic meeting running from April 20 to 22, 2026, aimed at reviewing progress since the 2023 Kigali session and setting new priorities in key sectors, including trade, security, infrastructure, and technology, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uganda.
The talks come as both countries reaffirm their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation and advancing regional integration through structured diplomatic engagement.
Ambassador Richard T. Kabonero, heading Uganda’s delegation, received the Rwandan officials and emphasized the strong historical, cultural, and geographical ties that continue to unite the two countries.
He said the Joint Permanent Commission remains a key pillar of bilateral engagement, noting that since the last formal session, both countries have continued to cooperate closely in important areas such as defence, energy, infrastructure, and regional integration.
Amb. Richard praised diplomatic missions from both countries for sustaining engagement and ensuring continuity despite regional and global challenges.
He also further highlighted shared challenges, including pandemics, climate change, and cybercrime, noting that these issues transcend borders and therefore require coordinated and innovative responses, while also encouraging delegates to ensure that the deliberations lead to practical outcomes that directly improve citizens’ lives.
Representing Rwanda, Ms Teta Gisa, Director General for Africa at the Rwanda Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressed appreciation for Uganda’s hospitality and also reaffirmed Kigali’s commitment to further strengthening cooperation between the two countries.
Furthermore, she emphasised that the JPC serves as a structured platform for reviewing progress and aligning priorities across key sectors, including diplomacy, trade, security, justice, infrastructure, energy, aviation, and ICT under the Northern Corridor Integration Projects framework.
“This meeting is not only about reviewing what has been achieved, but also about generating tangible and implementable outcomes that respond to the aspirations of our citizens,” Gisa said. “Our cooperation must translate into improved livelihoods, enhanced regional integration, and sustained socio-economic transformation.”
Meanwhile, the session comes at a time when both countries are working to consolidate recent improvements in relations, including efforts to reopen borders, strengthen trade flows, and enhance cross-border cooperation.
Experts observe that the Kampala meeting provides a valuable opportunity to build on recent progress while addressing ongoing challenges in trade, security, and infrastructure. Consequently, delegates are expected to engage in constructive discussions ahead of higher-level sessions, with the anticipation that the 12th JPC will deliver practical outcomes that strengthen cooperation, enhance economic ties, and further deepen regional integration between Uganda and Rwanda.
