Rwandan nationals during a past deportation. Courtesy photo.
MBARARA–More than 90 Rwandans illegally staying in Uganda were yesterday arrested and deported back to their country.
In a day-long operation carried out by Mbarara Immigration officers police and military officers from Makenke Barracks the Rwandan nationals who included women, men and children were arrested. They were then loaded onto two buses and transported home through Kagitumba border.
Makenke Barracks Intelligence Officer Fred Mushambo said thousands of Rwandans are living in Uganda illegally, adding that Uganda is not a “dumping place for any person from any country”.
He said several of those deported lacked identification particulars while others fled their country after being involved in criminal activities.
Mushambo said scores of the illegal immigrants gave trivial reasons for staying in Uganda.
He added that most of them sneak into Uganda through the country’s porous borders without any identification.
Journalists were, however, stopped from covering the operation, especially when it came to recording the transportation arrangements for the illegal entries late in the evening.
Rwandan officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter, however, protest that most of the deported Rwandans actually had travel documents and valid coupons. By press time, PML Daily had not verified the Rwandan officials’ claims.
Interpol boss Assistant Inspector General of Police Fred Yiga said as police, their major concern is to improve Uganda’s relationship with neighbouring countries by, among others, tackling cross-border crime by cracking down on illegal immigration.
He said those deported failed to justify their stay in the country and lacked valid identification documents.
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