Rwanda’s State minister for East African Affairs
Olivier Nduhungirehe yesterday insisted that Rwandans were still strongly
advised not to travel to Uganda even after presidents Museveni and Paul Kagame
agreed on Wednesday to end the tension.
Border. Travellers cross the No-man’s land at Katuna/Gatuna border post into Uganda yesterday. |
In an
interview with Daily Monitor, Mr Nduhungirehe said Rwandans
should not travel to Uganda “until all Rwandans” allegedly under the arrest in
Uganda are released.
“What we
request is the release of all Rwandans who are illegally detained. If they are
released, we shall lift the travel advisory. But for now, we still strongly
advise Rwandans not travel to Uganda,” he said.
Presidents Museveni and Kagame signed a memorandum of understanding [MoU] in Angolan capital Luanda to implement seven points, including free movement of goods and persons across borders.
Presidents Museveni and Kagame signed a memorandum of understanding [MoU] in Angolan capital Luanda to implement seven points, including free movement of goods and persons across borders.
In
February, Rwanda closed its border and blocked Ugandan cargo trucks. It also
stopped its nationals from crossing into Uganda over allegations that they were
being harassed and arrested illegally by Ugandan security agencies.
Uganda
has dismissed the allegations and maintains that the country welcomes law
abiding foreign nationals.
In July, 40 Rwandans were arrested from a church in Kibuye, a Kampala suburb, in a joint operation by the military and police.
In July, 40 Rwandans were arrested from a church in Kibuye, a Kampala suburb, in a joint operation by the military and police.
Under the
same MoU, the two leaders also agreed to respect the sovereignty of their
states and of the neighbouring countries. They also agreed to stop arrest of
nationals in either country.
Foreign
Affairs Permanent Secretary Patrick Mugoya said it was still early to comment
on the MoU.
When asked when Rwanda would reopen the border at Gatuna to allow free movement of goods and persons as stipulated in the MoU, he said:
When asked when Rwanda would reopen the border at Gatuna to allow free movement of goods and persons as stipulated in the MoU, he said:
“The
border was never closed. We cannot reopen the border that was never
closed.”
“We will wait to hear from our Customs officials if persons and goods are now crossing the border freely,” Mr Mugoya.
“We will wait to hear from our Customs officials if persons and goods are now crossing the border freely,” Mr Mugoya.
President
Museveni was expected to return from Angola yesterday.
Rwanda and Uganda are also supposed to form an ad hoc commission composed of intelligence chiefs and ministers of internal affairs to oversee the implementation of the seven points in the MoU.
Rwanda and Uganda are also supposed to form an ad hoc commission composed of intelligence chiefs and ministers of internal affairs to oversee the implementation of the seven points in the MoU.
Mr Kagame
and Mr Museveni also agreed to refrain from actions such as training of armed
Opposition groups to distabilise each other’s country.
Rwanda has accused Uganda of supporting its dissidents while Uganda accuses Rwandan operatives of espionage.
Rwanda has accused Uganda of supporting its dissidents while Uganda accuses Rwandan operatives of espionage.
Meanwhile,
traders at Katuna and Kyanika border posts with Rwanda have been asked to wait
for the implementation of the MoU.
Rwandan ambassador to Uganda Frank Mugambage yesterday said this in a telephone interview.
The MoU is supposed to see traders resume business at the border which had suffered losses because of the closure.
Rwandan ambassador to Uganda Frank Mugambage yesterday said this in a telephone interview.
The MoU is supposed to see traders resume business at the border which had suffered losses because of the closure.
The
Katuna Town Council Mayor in Kabale District, Mr Nelson Nshangabasheija, said
he monitored the Katuna/Gatuna border posts from 7am to 3pm and no Rwandan
national was allowed to cross into Uganda.
He added that only a few buses, small cars and some tourists’ vehicle were seen crossing the border.
He added that only a few buses, small cars and some tourists’ vehicle were seen crossing the border.
The
Kisoro District chairperson, Mr Abel Bizimana, congratulated the Rwandan and
Ugandan presidents for agreeing to sign an MOU to end the standoff but faulted
the East African Community for failure to intervene immediately.
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