By Andrew Irumba
Kampala: A few hours after the Rwandan government repatriated two bodies of Ugandans who were shot dead over the weekend by Rwanda military, the government of Uganda has issued a statement condemning the killings.
In a statement issued on Tuesday November 12, 2019, by Ofwono Opondo, the executive director Uganda Media Centre, the government of Uganda protested to the Government of Rwanda, in regards to shootings by Rwandan Security Personnel that
continue to occur along the common shared Uganda-Rwanda border.
In the protest which was delivered to Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Uganda, Maj.
Gen. Frank Mugambage, by Ambassador Patrick Mugoya Permanent
Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Uganda it is stated as follows;
1) Government of the Republic of Uganda conveyed serious concern,
regarding an incident of murder of Ugandan nationals that occurred on Rwandan territory.
On Sunday, 10th November 2019, at about 0500hrs 02 Ugandans were shot
dead by Rwandan security personnel from Tabagwe, along the Kamwezi
border. The deceased Ugandans are: Job Byarushanga of Kiruhura Cell,
Kamwezi Sub-County, Rukiga District and Bosco Tuhirirwe of Kabira Cell,
Kamwezi Sub-County Rukiga District.
The deaths have been acknowledged
by the Government of Rwanda.
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 be held accountable.
2) Concern has been raised, regarding an incident in which a Rwandan
national was shot and severely wounded on Rwandan territory, while returning from Uganda territory and was forced to flee back to Uganda.
On Monday 4th November 2019, at about 1930hrs at Rushaki B Cell, Karujanga Parish, Rubaya Sub-county, Kabale district, a one Peter
Havugimana 28 years, resident of Kabaya village (Omudugudu), Gishari Parish (Akagari) Rubaya Sub-county (Omurengye) in Gicumbi District (Akarere), a Rwandan national, was received after being shot in the shoulder
from about 200 meters in Rwanda, on the border with Uganda.
The victim was shot while carrying about ten (10) kilograms of potatoes from Uganda
into Rwanda. After the shooting he ran back into Uganda territory for his safety. The victim was rushed to Katuna Police Station and thereafter referred to Katuna Community Clinic for further management.
At the Clinic, a bullet was removed from his body and the victim is now in stable condition.
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.
