Rwanda has insisted Uganda supports rebel groups that want to bring the Kigali regime down even though a week ago the government of Uganda said it was a mere allegation.
A statement by Rwanda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said of the presence of armed groups and terrorist organisations in Uganda hostile to Rwanda, including RNC, FDLR and others. It said the groups are supported by Uganda in their activities, including recruitment, by institutions and officials of the Government of Uganda. “The details of these concerns have been repeatedly communicated to the Government of Uganda,” the statement said.
The statement alleges Uganda has killed, arrested, incarcerated without consular access and tortured its nationals. The statement alleges that close to 1000 Rwandans were illegally deported by Ugandan authorities to Rwanda in inhumane conditions.
“The targeting of ordinary Rwandan citizens involved in regular business and trade activities, within the framework of the East African Community and the hampering of the free movement of goods, including perishables, to and through Uganda,” it says.
It alleged that the recent statements issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uganda including the one dated March 13, 2019were diversionary and do not address fundamental issues raised by Rwanda.
“It is not possible to have free trade including free movement of goods if traders are killed, tortured, extorted and their property are illegally seized. These are the fundamental issues that need to be addressed. Claims that Rwanda has instituted trade embargo on Uganda are as untrue as they are diversionary,” it further says.
“The Government of Rwanda calls upon the Government of Uganda to address the key issues stated above and as already repeatedly communicated in bilateral settings,” it says.