A 37-year-old Rwandan woman has on Wednesday morning collapsed and died while escaping from soldiers patrolling Rwanda’s Kyanika border with Uganda.
Elizabeth Mukarugwiza was Dan Hakizimana’s wife.
It is believed that Mukarugwiza was crossing to Kisoro District, south western Uganda to buy food.
Elly Maate, the Kigezi region police spokesperson told Watchdog Uganda that the Rwandan Defence Forces and the Rwanda National Police officers patrolling the closed Rwanda/Uganda borders were running after her, along with other Rwandans, when she suddenly collapsed and died at Rukoro village, Nyakabingo parish in Kisoro.
The deceased was a resident of Kinigi village, Nyamirima parish in Musanza District, Rwanda.
A month ago, Rwanda closed its Katuna and Mirama Hills borders, accusing the government in Kampala of harassing, arresting and torturing Rwandan citizens. Kigali also said Kampala was aiding alleged Rwandan rebels, allegations the government of Uganda has denied.
Since then, Rwanda has deployed heavily along all the border points with Uganda and has threatened to arrest any Rwandan attempting to cross to Uganda.
Also, any Rwandan arrested while attempting to cross to Uganda is to be fined Shs18 million. Little or no trade has happened since then.
The Case has been registered at Kyanika police station under file number SD 07/27/3/2019 and the body is still at the police station pending postmortem.
More details to follow.
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