The Government of Rwanda has spoken out on why it has locked its borders to Uganda (most notably the busiest border point of Katuna), not allowing people and goods to cross from either side over the last couple of days. The Kigali regime has particularly pointed out that it has been forced to take the step after realizing that there was no progress from discussions the two governments have had on a number of misunderstandings arising from several complaints each side has against the other.
Rwandan Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr Richard Sezibera yesterday spoke to the Rwanda national newspaper, The New Times, and pointed out the three major queries that have led Rwanda to close its border with Uganda, and he explained them in detail.
Dr. Sezibera said that firstly, because of human rights violation of Rwandans in Uganda, Rwanda had reached a point where it couldn’t guarantee the safety of its citizens living and traveling to Uganda. That as a result the Rwanda government had advised Rwandans who don’t have urgent businesses in Uganda to desist from traveling there.
It might be remembered that on Friday, the minister issued a travel advisory to Rwandans not to travel to Uganda due “to ongoing arrests, harassment, torture, Incarceration without consular access, deportation etc.” And in effect it became even worse, as on the ground since Friday no Rwandans has been allowed to cross the border into Uganda.
“We’ve seen incidents in the past, even yesterday we were seeing people being arrested in Kisoro, in Mbarara; we don’t understand what’s happening,” Dr. Sezibera said. He said that there has been no positive result from efforts to put an end to the mistreatment of Rwandans in Uganda, even as talks have been held between leaders of both countries at different levels right to the highest level of the two presidents. ”
The other issue that Minister Sezibera says has not been handled by Kampala is the existence of what he calls “armed groups with a violent agenda towards Rwanda,” that have turned Uganda into their base to carry out their activities.
“There are armed groups, individuals who head armed groups, that are opposed to the government of Rwanda who operate in Uganda,” he said.
Some of these, he said include the RNC and some members of the FDLR
Minister Sezibwera also said Uganda has continuously curtailed the free movement of goods from Rwanda across Ugandan territory.
“In one particular incident we had containers of goods originating from Rwanda, held in Uganda for months.”
These goods, he says are mostly exports.
Ugandan Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda says Ugandan and Rwandan officials are currently engaged in talks (spearheaded by officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Industry) to have the concerns addressed.