KAMPALA – The Uganda government has described as reckless and high-handed the shooting dead of two Ugandans by Rwanda security forces on Saturday.
John Bosco Tuheirwe and Job Ebyarishanga, both residents of Kamwezi Sub-county in Rukiga District, were shot dead by Rwandan security forces about 1km away from the Mpororo border post in Kamwezi Sub County on Saturday night for allegedly smuggling tobacco.
Government spokesman Ofwono Opondo, in a protest note sent to the Rwanda High Commissioner Frank Mugambagye on Tuesday, November 12, 2019, said the alleged crime cannot justify the high handed and criminal act by the Rwandan security personnel, against unarmed civilians residing along the common border.
“The Government of Uganda protests in the strongest terms the murder of its nationals by Rwandan security personnel for allegedly being involved in smuggling of goods across the common border. The alleged crime cannot justify the high handed and criminal act by the Rwandan security personnel, against unarmed civilians residing along the common border. Furthermore, the Ministry notes that these murders are inimical to the ongoing efforts to improve relations between the two countries. The Ministry demands that a joint investigation in the murders be conducted and the perpetrators held accountable,” Mr Opondo said.
“The Government of Uganda considers the shooting incident a grave matter and that although the latest victim is Rwandan, it constitutes a pattern of reckless and high-handed acts on the part of Rwanda security personnel, against simple, ordinary people that live along the common border. The Government of Uganda is ready to hand Peter Havugimana to the relevant Rwanda Government authorities, if he wishes to return,” he added.
The bodies of two Ugandans shot dead in Rwanda over the weekend have been repatriated.
Rwanda closed its borders with Uganda in February 2019 to purportedly expedite the construction of the single customs at Gatuna border. Rwanda advised truck drivers destined to Kigali to use Kagitumba border via Mirama Hills
