Uganda will on Monday, May 27, 2019 handover the body of a Rwandan national who was shot dead by Rwanda security on Friday.
The Deputy Inspector General of Police, Muzeeyi Sabiiti, will lead the Ugandan delegation at the ‘handover ceremony’ today at Katuna.
“Uganda will tomorrow at Katuna border, Kabale handover the body of John Batista Kyerengye, a Rwandan citizen shot dead on Friday by a Rwanda soldier while attempting to cross into Uganda. DIGP Sabiiti Muzeeyi will represent Uganda,” Executive Director of the Uganda Media Centre, Ofwono Opondo said in a tweet.
Kyerengye, a businessman was shot dead at around 8pm at Hamisavu, trading center, Kiruhura village, Kasekye Parish, Kamwezi Sub County, in Rukiga District.
He was trying to cross into Rwanda, on a motorcycle, loaded with his merchandise, but turned back upon noticing security presence across the border.
Kyerengye was however, chased and intercepted by two armed Rwandan soldiers, a distance of about 80 meters, into Ugandan territory, at Hamisavu trading center.
The victim resisted attempts to arrest him, and was shot in the head, dying instantly. The armed soldiers, in addition, shot dead a Ugandan identified as Nyesiga Alex, who was trying to intervene.
According to Uganda Police Spokesperson Fred Enanga, the soldiers immediately withdrew, after failed attempts to remove the body of the Rwandan victim. The two bodies were transferred to Kamwezi Health Center IV for further post-mortem analysis.
“The police strongly condemn the violent acts of killing innocent civilians with impunity, regardless of their immigration status. In this very instance, there was no justification for the illegal entry and use of deadly force by the Rwandan military, due to the presence of alternative, adequate and effective remedies available at our disposal. For instance, in the recent past, 44 Rwandan nationals, who had illegally entered Uganda, were intercepted in Kasese district and deported to Rwanda in a very peaceful manner,” said Enanga.
The police mouthpiece has also revealed that they have forwarded the matter to the National Security Committee and Ministry of Foreign Affairs for better management.
“We would wish to urge our counterparts, to respect the rights of citizens along the border and avoid acts of provocation that can easily destabilize the prevailing peace along the border.”
In response, Rwanda National Police said Rwandan security forces were attacked by people with machetes after stopping the suspected smuggler on a motorcycle after he crossed the border from Uganda.
“The officers shot two people, one Rwandan, who died instantly and one Ugandan who later died,” it said. “The incident happened in Tabagwe Cell, Tabagwe Sector, Nyagatare District, Republic of Rwanda.”
“The Ministry would like to inform that on the above named dates, Rwandan security forces intercepted a suspected smuggler on a motorcycle who had just crossed the border from Uganda at night through an ungazetted border point,” it said.
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