KATUNA – Rwanda security forces on Thursday, May 2 shot and injured a Rwandan businessman as he attempted to smuggle agricultural produce into Uganda.
Innocent Ndahimana was shot in the arm as he smuggled over 500 kilograms of beans to Uganda through an ungazetted border point in Rushaki village, Rubaya Sub County in Kabale district.
Speaking to journalists at Katuna Community Medical Clinic where he is admitted, Ndahimana said he decided to take the risk because beans fetch more money in Uganda.
“The security operatives stopped me from crossing into Uganda with my goods but I defied because in Uganda a kilogram of beans is bought at UGX2,350= while in Rwanda its only UGX2,000=. They shot me on the right arm and I fell down on the Ugandan side before they impounded the beans and my colleagues carried me to Katuna Community Medical Clinic where I am being treated from,” he said.
The father of five and resident of Nyakabungo village, Chumba Sub County in Gicumbi district said he doesn’t know how he will return home because he will be punished severely.
The in charge of Katuna Community Medical Clinic, Mr Alex Niwahereza, said that the patient is out of danger and will soon be discharged.
Mr. Justus Karambuzi, the LC1 chairman for Burambira Village at Katuna town council where the victim is being admitted said that he immediately reported the matter to the security officials at Katuna border post to avoid being accused of hosting an injured foreigner in his village.
The Kigezi Regional Police commander ACP Richard Ecega confirmed the incident saying that he visited the scene where the victim was shot from and the patient in the clinic yesterday evening and was out of danger.
“This man was shot after he had stepped about 2-meters on the Ugandan side. He was carried to a clinic in Katuna town council where he is being treated and I hope once he heals, he will go back to his country,” Regional police commander ACP Richard Ecega said.
In February, Rwandan authorities stopped their nationals from entering Uganda and denied cargo trucks from entering Uganda on claims that they were upgrading their one-stop border post at Gatuna though the statement later changed that Uganda was hosting Rwandan enemies.
The officer in charge of customs at Katuna border post, Mr. Emmanuel Bamanya said that the traffic of small cars and buses is normal though the entry of Cargo Trucks into Rwanda is not allowed by the Rwandan authorities.
