The leaders of Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda are to sign the defence, peace and security pact Thursday in Kampala, Uganda.

The pact is meant to strengthen the east African regional security and partnership in the fight against terrorism, cross-border crime and other regional security threats. But Tanzania and Burundi declined to sign the agreement because they look at Uganda as a country ruled by a dictator.

President Kenyata of Kenya, Museveni of Uganda and Paul Kagame of Rwanda will also put in place mechanisms to safeguard regional infrastructure that they plan to put in place, including a railway line and an oil refinery.

The national coordinator of integrated projects involving Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan, and Rwanda Monique Mukaruliza, says that the heads of state in East Africa will assess the progress of regional projects agreed upon.

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