KIGALI – The Rwanda government has deported four Ugandans who had spent close to a week in custody.
In a move interpreted as reciprocating Kampala’s release of Rwandans over a week ago, Rwanda security forces on Saturday, January 11, transported the four Ugandans and handed them over to Immigration officials at Katuna border post in Kabale District.
Those released are Samuel Arinaitwe, Ernest and Ambrose Twesigomwe, who are residents of Kabale District.
Speaking to journalists, the group said they had been detained at Mirundi Police Station but that they were not tortured.
“We had crossed into Rwanda to look for our relative who was mentally ill and had crossed into Rwanda without our knowledge,” Mr Bangirana said.
He added that for all the time they were in the police cell, they were fed on boiled maize seeds and water.
“On reaching Gatuna the Rwandan security officials took our photographs, photocopied our National Identity cards before they handed us to the Ugandan immigration officials at Katuna,” Mr Bangirana added.
Agaba said that the cell was also clean and contained at least 40 inmates, including some other Ugandans.
Rwanda’s action is the complete opposite of several recent incidents when they have shot and killed several Ugandans caught crossing the border.
This comes a week after Uganda released nine Rwandans earlier charged over espionage, an act Foreign Affairs minister Sam Kuteesa said was a gesture indicated that Kampala wants to mend relations between the two countries. He also appealed to Kigali to reciprocate.