Parliament, through Speaker Rebecca Kadaga has asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to issue a travel advisory document to Ugandans intending to travel to Rwanda.
This follows the killing of two Ugandans in Rwanda a few days ago yet early this year, Uganda repatriated nine Rwandans to Kigali.
Last year in February, Rwanda closed her boarders at Katuna and Chanika in Kabale and Kisoro districts respectively, with claims that Uganda had arrested and imprisoned her citizens arbitrary.
The closure affected hundreds of cargo trucks destined for Rwanda. however, the Rwandan authorities advised the truck drivers to turn back and use Mirama Hill border in Ntungamo district, which is 100kilometers away.
As a way of reducing the tension between the two countries, Presidents Yoweri Museveni and Paul Kagame met in Angola and signed a peace agreement in which was to pave way to the reopening of the borders.
On Tuesday as Parliament commenced its business, legislators tasked the minister of foreign Affairs to explain why Uganda doesn’t publish or restrict her citizens from going to Rwanda.
Ronald Mugume, MP Rukungiri Municipality, said, “Following the constant closure of Uganda’s borderlines with Rwanda, what is the fate of Uganda’s trade relationship with Rwanda?”
Ssemujju Nganda, the Opposition Chief Whip also asked the Speaker and the entire House not to focus on trade only since some Ugandans are being killed in Rwanda.
“As the minister responds to trade issues maybe she should also advise Ugandan not to travel there,” he side.
Reacting to both responses the government chief whip Ruth Nankabirwa, who represented the leader of government business Prime Minister Ruhakana Rukunda said that the issue of Rwanda-Uganda relationship is a key to the peace in the region and for that case, there are several meetings being conducted.
“Peace is more important and this issue must be handled carefully and any slight statement made carelessly can lead us to square one, and I request the Parliament to give time to the government. We will to get back to the good relations we had in the past,” she said
However, her statement was not welcomed by the House because she asked Parliament to keep silent and wait for the outcome.
“So we should keep quiet while Ugandans are being killed. People are dying and trade is no longer going on then you say we keep quiet?” asked Kadaga.
She added that Rwanda’s government has cautioned their nationals but Uganda’s government is keeping quiet. “So what should we do our people are killed? we cant just keep quiet this where solutions come from.”
However, Nakabirwa said that Uganda and Rwanda have been living together in harmony and that is the issues are being handled by Minister of Foreign Affairs Sam Kuteesa.
“In my capacity, I can not pass that document, I will have to go and consult. But also the minister in charge will come here and a security committee to advise Ugandans whether to continue moving to Rwanda or stop completely,” said Nankabirwa.
Although some members like the leader of opposition Betty Aol wanted Parliament to pass that document, Kadaga gave minister and the security committee an ultimatum of one week to tell Ugandans which side they should take what to do when travelling to Rwanda.
Do you have a story in your community or an opinion to share with us: Email us at Submit an Article
