Levy Byomuhangi, a resident of Rugarama village in Nyinamuronzi ward, Katuna was arrested by gunmen dressed in Rwandan army uniform at Mushenyi village, Karuhanga parish, Rubaya Sub County, about 20 metres away from Uganda-Rwanda border.
A Ugandan has been kidnapped by suspected Rwandan security personnel in Kabale district.
Levy Byomuhangi, a resident of Rugarama village in Nyinamuronzi
ward, Katuna was kidnapped by gunmen dressed in Rwandan army uniform
at Mushenyi village, Karuhanga parish, Rubaya Sub County, about 20 metres away
from Uganda-Rwanda border.
Saime Twesigomwe, the Rubaya Sub County, LCIII Chairperson says
that the security personnel crossed into Uganda while pursuing suspected
smugglers but instead arrested Byomuhangi after failing to trace the smugglers.
Twesigwomwe adds that Byomuhangi was heading home from Mushenyi
village where he had spent the whole day burning charcoal.
Twesigwome says that the victim was handcuffed and taken to
Rwanda.
Nelson Nshangabasheija, Katuna Town council LC3 Chairperson described
the incident as unfortunate saying that Byomuhangi's family is living in fear
that he could be harmed.
//Cue in: “Rwandan security
operatives…
Cue out: … not listen.
Rukiga
//Cue in: “abaserikare batwaara …
Cue out: …bamutwaara kifuba.”//
Lieutenant Colonel Robert Nahamya, the Uganda Peoples Defense Forces
(UPDF) 19th Battalion Commander says that Ugandan security officials have
contacted their counterparts in Rwanda demanding for Byomuhangi’s release.
//Cue in: “ we have been…
Cue out: …in hand.”//
Rukiga
//Cue in: “twari
twakihurireho twazayo…
Cue out: …kugyenda omumeisho.”//
Many Ugandans have been arrested while others killed by Rwandan
security personnel.
Last month, Sydney, a resident of Kagogo village in Bigaga
parish, Butanda Sub County, Kabale district was shot dead by Rwandan security
accusing him of smuggling matchboxes in Sebeya village, Burera district, about
15 kilometres from the Uganda-Rwanda borderline.
In April 2019, three farmers Susan Rwanjungu and
Junensia Bazongoza, all residents of Mushenyi village and Jovia Ruvungafu, a
resident of Nyinarushengye village in Katuna Town Council were arrested by armed Rwandan soldiers while digging in their gardens and taken into
Rwanda.
The Uganda-Rwanda border has been closed since February 2019
following a diplomatic row between the two countries. Rwandan officials including President Paul Kagame accused Uganda authorities of
abducting its citizens and locking them up in un-gazetted areas as well as
hosting, sponsoring and facilitating dissidents. Talks between the two
countries are yet to yield positive results.
