KATUNA – Kampala administration has Saturday, May 25 protested over the killing of its national, and the violation of its territorial integrity by Rwandan soldiers on Friday, calling the move a provocation.
In a statement issued on Saturday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Uganda has urged Rwanda to take action against the perpetrators of the attack and ensure that there is no recurrence of such incidents in the future.
“The Government of Uganda protests in the strongest terms the violation of its territorial integrity by Rwandan soldiers and the criminal, brutal and violent act by the Rwandan soldiers on Ugandan territory against unarmed civilians. The Ministry demands that action be taken against the perpetrators of this attack,” the statement read in part.
Police spokesperson Fred Enanga says the incident happened on Friday, May 24, that resulted into death of two male adults a Ugandan national and a Rwandan, shot by operatives from the Rwanda army, who had pursued their countryman inside Uganda territory.
“The incident occurred on Friday, May, 24 at around 8 pm, at Hamisavu, trading centre, Kiruhura village, Kasekye Parish, Kamwezi Sub County, in Rukiga district,” Mr Enanga said.
According to Mr. Enanga, the Rwandan citizen, identified as Nyengye Peter, now deceased, was a businessman, who attempted to cross into Rwanda, on a motorcycle, loaded with his merchandise, but turned back upon noticing security presence across the border.
Mr. Enanga says that he was, however, chased and intercepted by two armed Rwandan soldiers, a “distance of about 80 meters, into Ugandan territory, at Hamisavu trading centre.”
“The victim resisted attempts to arrest him, and was shot to the head and killed instantly,” the police said.
We could not get an immediate comment from the Rwanda authorities.
However, the Uganda police say the armed Rwandan soldiers, in addition, shot dead a Ugandan identified as Alex Nyesiga who was trying to intervene.
They immediately withdrew, after failed attempts to remove the body of the Rwandan victim.
“The two bodies were transferred to Kamwezi Health Center IV for further post-mortem analysis,” Mr Enamga said.
BELOW IS THE GOVERNMENT STATEMENT
================================
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uganda presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Rwanda and has the honour to bring to the latter’s attention the serious concern of the Government of the Republic Uganda regarding an incident of murder that occurred on Ugandan territory.
On Friday 24th May 2019 at about 1955hrs at Hamisavu Trading Center at Kiruhura village, Kashekye Parish Kamwezi sub-county in Rukiga District, Rwandan soldiers shot dead two people, one Ugandan by the names of Nyesiga Alex and one Rwandan called Kyerengye John Batista. This incident occurred more than fifty (50) meters inside Ugandan territory.
The incident happened when John Batista aged 25 –years-old, a resident of Nkoma cell, Ntarabwe Parish, Burasirazooba sub county, Nyagatare District, attempted to cross into Rwanda on a motorcycle loaded with his merchandise but turned back upon seeing security presence across the border. He was chased and intercepted by two armed Rwandan soldiers, a distance of more than 50 meters inside Uganda territory at Hamisavu Trading Center. The victim (John Batista) resisted arrest and was shot in the head and died instantly. The armed soldiers, in addition, shot Nyesiga Alex, a Ugandan national who tried to intervene. He died on the way to a nearby Health Center. The Rwandan soldiers retreated back to Rwanda after failed attempts to forcefully remove the body from Ugandan territory.
The Uganda Government is ready to hand over the body of the deceased Rwandan national on – Monday 27th May 2019 at Katuna border.
The Government of Uganda protests in the strongest terms the Violation of its territorial integrity by Rwandan soldiers and the criminal, brutal and violent act by the Rwandan soldiers, on Ugandan territory, against unarmed civilians. The Ministry demands that action be taken against the perpetrators of this attack. The Government of Rwanda is strongly urged to take appropriate measures to avoid recurrence of such provocative incidents in the future.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uganda avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Rwanda, the assurances of its highest consideration.
Kampala, 25 May 2019
