Uganda Foreign Affairs
Minister Sam Kutesa has today told heads of missions accredited to Uganda that
Rwandan security operatives have been entering the country without permission,
a move that could have put the security of citizens at risk.
“A number of Rwandan security operatives have been entering Uganda without
following laid down procedures governing the entry of security personnel into
the country,” Kutesa told diplomatic corps in a meeting held today. He,
however, added that a number of them were apprehended and deported.
Kuteesa explained that Uganda has been a target and victim of terrorist attacks;
including assassinations of Moslem Sheiks and senior government officials and
that the government of Uganda takes seriously its duty and obligation to
protect the security of its citizens and its borders.
He warned that “any local or foreign threats will continue to be dealt
with decisively whenever and wherever they occur”.
Kutesa however assured diplomats that the Ugandan government is convinced that
the current hitch in the state bilateral relations between the two neighbor’s
will be resolved.
The address comes after the Rwandan Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Richard
Sezibera addressed diplomatic corps accredited to Kigali on April 30, 2019,
where he accused Uganda of harassing its citizens and hosting elements hostile
to the Rwanda administration.
Rwanda closed its Katuna border in February 2019 and issued a travel advisory
to its citizens not to enter Uganda, a move Kutesa said took Kampala by
surprise. On the accusation that Uganda hosts those seeking to overthrow
the Kigali administration; Kutesa said: “Uganda cannot allow its territory
to be used to threaten the security of a neighbouring country.”
This has been the same position for the Uganda government since February when
Rwanda closed the Katuna border.
Uganda’s monthly export earnings to Rwanda dropped by a whopping 81 per cent in
March, according to figures compiled by the Bank of Uganda Uganda
earned USD 2.64 million (9.8 billion Shillings) in March 2019, down from USD
14.51 million (55 billion Shillings) in February – a drop of USD 11.8 million
(44 billion Shillings).
This week President Museveni told a gathering in Masindi that even Rwanda
continues to close its border, the trade will still go on, although this via
smuggling. The addresses of the Foreign Affairs ministers of both
countries to diplomats indicate that there has been hardly any progress in
resolving the impasse between the two countries.
Rwandan Security Operatives Entering Uganda Illegally- Kutesa
