The territorial police in Kigezi is investigating the shooting to death of two male adults, one a Ugandan and the other Rwandan, by the Rwandan security forces, an incident which has worsened relations between the two countries. The murder occurred, yesterday at around 8pm, at Hamisavu, trading center, Kiruhura village, Kasekye Parish, Kamwezi Sub County, in Rukiga District, according to Uganda Police Spokesperson Fred Enanga.
The Rwandan citizen, identified as Peter Nyengye 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. He was however, chased and intercepted by two armed Rwandan soldiers, a distance of about 80 meters, into Ugandan territory, at Hamisavu trading center.
“The victim resisted attempts to arrest him, and was shot to the head and killed instantly. The armed 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,” Enanga says.
“The police strongly condemn the violent acts of killing innocent civilians with impunity, regardless of their immigration status. In this very instance, there was no justification for the illegal entry and use of deadly force by the Rwandan military, due to the presence of alternative, adequate and effective remedies available at our disposal,” reads part of Uganda Police statement on the matter.
“For instance, in the recent past, 44 Rwandan nationals, who had illegally entered Uganda, were intercepted in Kasese district and deported to Rwanda in a very peaceful manner,” it adds.
As we forward the matter to the National Security Committee and Ministry of Foreign Affairs for better management, we would wish to urge our counterparts, to respect the rights of citizens along the border and avoid acts of provocation that can easily destabilize the prevailing peace along the border, says Enanga.
The latest incident comes at the time when Uganda has accused Rwanda of imposing a trade embargo on its goods as it does not allow the goods to enter Rwanda. Rwanda accuses Uganda of harboring rebels opposed to Kigali regime but Uganda denies the allegations, calling them unfounded. Rwanda has gone ahead to block its citizens from entering Uganda on allegations that Ugandan security mistreats them when they arrive in the country.
