By Mary Kisakye
KAMPALA–Several Ugandans working in Rwanda have lost their jobs in what seems to be a deepening rift between the two sister states.
Among top Ugandans who have been fired from jobs include Vivian Igunduura, the deputy managing director of Cogebanque – the third largest bank in Rwanda and Beatrice Kantono who has been working as an Information Technology specialist in MTN-Rwanda.
PML Daily has learnt that the affected Ugandans in October received notices that their services are nolonger needed. This website has further learnt that two Ugandans occupying top positions in RwandAir have also had their contracts terminated.
These are just some of the many Ugandans who have lost their jobs in Rwanda in the past two weeks.
A highly placed source said the terminations are communicated by word of mouth and no reason is given whatsoever for the terminations.
Ugandan media has in the recent past been awash with stories pointing to a possible severing of ties between the two sister States.
Security personnel recently arrested senior police officials over alleged repatriation of Rwandan and South Sudanese refugees as well as extradition of Lt Joel Mutabazi, a former bodyguard of Rwandan President Paul Kagame who was reportedly kidnapped by security personnel in Uganda and handed over to the government of Rwanda.
He was consequently tried in a military court and sentenced to life imprisonment. But Uganda’s Foreign Minister
Henry Okello Oryem said the matter is being handled and that the relationship between the two countries remain “strong”.
“We are not doing anything that will antagonise our relationship. We are just cleaning up our house to ensure honesty,” minister Oryem said.