Uganda-Rwanda Tensions Part XII: Communique (16.09.2019)

Uganda-Rwanda Tensions XI: Deportation in Respect of 32 Rwandans INV/357/19 (12.09.2019)

Uganda-Rwanda Tensions Part X: Meeting of the Ad Hoc Commisson for the Implementation of Memorandum of Understanding of Luanda between Republic of Uganda and Republic of Rwanda (12.09.2019)

Uganda-Rwanda Tension Part VIII: A look into the Parliament Report on the closure of Uganda-Rwanda Border

On the 23^rd August 2019, the Minister of State for East African Community Julius Wandera Maganda sent the report on the Closure of Uganda-Rwanda Border. This report has been made to update the EAC Committee. Still, the public deserves to get the numbers and the gist of the closure. What it really means in the hard numbers and with the cross-border trade.

Clearly, the closure has had an affect on both republics. As the Report states are that:

“Following the closure of Cyanika, Katuna and Mirama Hills Border Posts on the 27th Feb 2019 by the Republic of Rwanda, as part of their mandate, the Ministry of East African Community (MEACA) has undertaken a number of steps as indicated below”.

There has been certainly new rules for entry between Uganda-Rwanda:

“i. There is still free movement of persons (Ugandan Nationals and other Nationalities) to and from Rwanda save for the Rwandan citizens who are only allowed entry and no ex;.t from Rwanda.

ii. The only Rwandan nationals allowed exit from Rwanda from the borders above are the drivers on transit to Kenya and not to Uganda.

iii. It was also noted that the Ugandans who cross to Rwanda only go there mostly to attend Parties or Funerals, and not business as the environment for Ugandan goods and products is hostile.

iv. Whereas Ugandan nationals are allowed to enter Rwanda, it is unfortunate that Ugandan goods/products arc not allowed entry. These are rejected with no reasons given, no rejection notes/documents are provided. Many drivers have suffered the disappointment of being told to turn back to Uganda”

All of this has consequences. Just as the financial implications by this alone. The Ministry can show that in FY 2017/18 value the imports from Rwanda at 160,293,270,436 UGX and in FY 2018/19 it has gone down to 123,338,816,439 UGX. This is downfall of imports of 23.05 % from the last year.

The consequences for the export to Rwanda is also hit. In FY 2017/18 was 585,436,037,282 UGX and in FY 2018/19 is 426,884,832,406 UGX. This is a downfall of export in the amount of 27,08 %. from the last year.

The results of the closure of the border at Katuna has ensured that there was no trucks passing this pass, between March 2019 to the June 2019. When the trucks started to crossover again. Still in a fraction of what was done in the past. Before February 2019, the average inflow and outflow of trucks was above 3000. However, in the months of March to June 2019, there was less than 500 every month. Even ZERO in the months of April and May 2019. Before, the numbers has started to rise, but not more than 300 in June 2019. Surely, One-Tenth is a major change and has affect.

This has resulted in more traffic, within the inflow and outflow at the Mirama Hill. Until February 2019, there was usually about 300 passing in both directions. However after this it was around 2000 trucks passing through every month between March to June 2019. Which is showing that there are blocking of trucks and also the total numbers of trucks passing on both passes is less than 3000 in both directions. That is really hurting the cross-border trade between the Republic’s. It is easy to see.

The closure has had an affect and the new measures on both sides. Has hit the trading, but also general movement. That is visible and surely, would be nice to see what the Rwandan Parliament would write as a counter to the Ugandan side. To see if their have another explanation for this. Peace.

Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General on the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Rwanda and Uganda (23.08.2019)

The Secretary-General recognizes the important role of Presidents João Lourenço of Angola and Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in facilitating the signing of the Memorandum.

NEW YORK, United States of America, August 23, 2019 – The Secretary-General welcomes the signing on 21 August 2019 in Luanda, Angola, of a Memorandum of Understanding between Presidents Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and Paul Kagame of Rwanda, with the aim of normalising bilateral relations between the two countries.

He encourages the parties to implement the agreement in good faith, with a view to restoring friendly relations and cooperation between the two neighbouring states, in the interest of peace, stability and sustainable development in the region.

The Secretary-General recognizes the important role of Presidents João Lourenço of Angola and Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in facilitating the signing of the Memorandum.

The Secretary-General stands ready to support the momentum generated through this and other initiatives to advance peace, cooperation and integration in the region.

Uganda-Rwanda Tensions Part VII: Memorandum of Understanding of Luanda between the Republic of Uganda and the Republic of Rwanda (21.08.2019)

Uganda-Rwanda Tensions Part VI: Press Statement on a Public Interest Litigation Case on the Closure of Uganda-Rwanda Border (01.07.2019)

Rwanda Revenue Authority: Announcement (07.06.2019)

Uganda-Rwanda Tensions Part V: Deadly Deceptions!

The incident of 25^th May 2019 is really haunting the Republics. Each Foreign Affairs has two different stories. The same has the respective Police Authorities delivered statements of similar fashion. Therefore, the incident itself is in question. Both parties claims the incident happen on their soil and that they were justified in their actions. The Ugandan claims the Rwandan crossed their borders. While the Rwandan claims it happen on the other side and that the smugglers fled the scene. However, this is stories that doesn’t fit well together.

Here is snippet of the statements dropped within the last 48 hours:

While the Ugandan Foreign Affairs today claims the Ugandan national was shot on their territory by Rwandan soldiers. Also, an Rwandan Business Man was shot and died on its land. As the Rwandan soldiers even tried to intervene and bring back the dead from its territory. But because of local intervention and brining them to the nearest Health Centre, the soldiers had to retreat back to Rwanda. The MoFA promise the delivery of his remains on the 27th May 2019.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs from Rwanda today claims the soldiers, which crossed the border was shot in Rwanda, but fled hurt and died in Uganda. They even says there was a meeting between Ugandan Rukiga District LCV Chairman and the Rwandan Nyagatare District Mayor, were the parties agreed the incident happen on Rwandan soil.

The Rwandan Police claimed yesterday that the suspected smugglers tried to cross the border from the Rwandan side, as the military intercepted them, the incident became violent. The authorities shot at the gang who tried to cross into Uganda. Killing two people, who fled across an un-gazetted border-point.

Earlier yesterday, the Ugandan Police Force in their statement, claimed that the incident happen on Ugandan soil. Where an Rwandan Business Man had crossed with merchandise across the border. Where the Rwandan Soldiers intercepted him, killed him and an Ugandan citizen as well. As they claim the Rwandan soldiers crossed illegally into the territory and then shot the two people, an Ugandan and the Rwandan national. Both got shot and died as they were taken to the closest health centre.

Doesn’t add up!

Certainly, these statements doesn’t add up. The last 48 hours, both parties have cried foul. There are two nationals, one Ugandan and one Rwandan national killed. The only thing that is consistent in the narrative, is that the Rwandan soldiers shot and intervened towards the deceased individuals. What is striking is how the people who gotten shot had the capacity after the violence to cross across the border to Kamwezi sub-county in Uganda. Just think about it driving on a boda-boda from Tabagwe, Nyagatare District to Kamwezi Health Care Centre. Which by Google Map is 15km and takes about 30 minutes. However, this is without stops and driving straight on target. Nevertheless, if the stories is told like it is.

There is a twist!

If driving while shot:

This is just the first weird thing about it, as the supposed smugglers crossed the borders on a motorcycle. One person was taking himself across the border, shot with used clothes and a deceased partner on it. As he was supposed to be able to cross, unnoticed with a body, smuggling merchandise and a bullet wound. That is part of the story that boggles me. Since, who else does this kind of stunts, except for a Hollywood Action Movie casting Jason Statham and Bruce Willis. One man with a bullet wound able to cross a border point and lack of strength. Certainly, the now deceased Ugandan national must have strong will-power in his final hours. I doubt the adrenaline or extra push from a shot fella can push this through. Unless, its scripted and his saving the world from an possible Armageddon.

That is why the conflicting stories doesn’t make sense. Unless the Rwandan counterparts are planing on exiting scripts for movies. Because, if the persons was killed on Ugandan soil. It makes some sense. Even if that means someone illegally crossed the border and without jurisdiction murdered two individuals of two different nationalities. This seems more reasonable, even if that implicates the Rwandan Authorities. Since, their stories make the Ugandan deceased man seeming like a superhero with the force of 50 Cent. We don’t know how and where he was hit, but the shot from the soldiers was fatal. Meaning, it wasn’t a flesh-wound, but something that stinged him.

We can wonder if the truth of this incident will come out, but right now. The stories are conflicting, and someone trying to deceive the public. One party is lying and the other party is maybe even not telling the whole truth. However, there are two people dead because of this and they deserve for the truth to come out. As they cannot speak on what happen, but only be used as martyrs and as tools in a narrative fitting each states agenda. Peace.

Rwandan Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Uganda Ministry of Foreign Affairs: A Rebuttal Note regarding the Incident on the 25.05.2019 (26.05.2019)