A fresh dispute has emerged between Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, and former Rwandan Lieutenant General Faustin Kayumba Nyamwasa, following accusations linking the Rwandan general to the killing of an exiled soldier in Uganda. Kayumba has reportedly warned Muhoozi against escalating the confrontation, with the exchange raising questions about the relationship between two military figures whose histories are connected to the region’s political and military past.

The disagreement reportedly began after Muhoozi used his social media platforms to accuse Kayumba of being behind the brutal killing of Major Robert Kabera, an exiled Rwandan soldier who was recently killed in Nsangi, Uganda. The allegations drew attention because of the sensitive circumstances surrounding the killing and the fact that both men have held senior positions in their respective countries’ military establishments.

Kayumba is said to have reacted angrily to the accusations, warning Muhoozi to be careful about how he handles the matter. According to the claims circulating about their exchange, the former Rwandan military chief cautioned that Muhoozi could start a confrontation that might develop into a war he would not win. The reported warning has added a new dimension to the dispute, although the full details and exact wording of Kayumba’s response have not been independently established.

Kayumba is no ordinary figure in Rwanda’s military history. He served as Chief of Staff of the Rwandan Army between 1998 and 2002 and also headed the country’s intelligence services during that period. His military career placed him among the senior figures who played important roles in Rwanda’s security and political affairs following the 1994 genocide.

His connection to Uganda also dates back several decades. Kayumba was among the former National Resistance Army fighters who participated in the struggle that brought President Yoweri Museveni to power in January 1986. His past involvement in the NRA struggle is one reason the reported disagreement with Muhoozi has attracted attention, given the historical links between the two countries and their military establishments.

After his military service, Kayumba served as Rwanda’s ambassador to India from 2004. He later fell out with the Rwandan government and became an opponent of President Paul Kagame, eventually living in exile. His departure from Rwanda marked a significant change in the career of a man who had once occupied some of the country’s most influential security positions.

The dispute involving Muhoozi and Kayumba now centres on the allegations surrounding Major Kabera’s killing and the reported warning against further escalation. However, the accusations against Kayumba remain allegations and should not be treated as established facts without supporting evidence. No independent conclusion about his involvement in the killing has been presented in the information surrounding the exchange.

The latest confrontation has therefore drawn attention to the wider implications of public accusations between senior military figures with deep connections to Uganda and Rwanda. While it remains unclear whether the disagreement will escalate further, the reported exchange has placed the killing of Major Kabera and the relationship between the two generals at the centre of regional discussion.