Rwandan President Paul Kagame has Tuesday begun a planned tour of six districts including one which Burera which borders with Uganda at Cyanika border post in Kisoro District.
According to a statement released by presidency at Village Urugwiro, Kagame begins his countrywide tour in Burera and Musanza district the famous home of gorillas.
“The following day (Wednesday) the Head of State will head to Rubavu district, bordering DR Congo, which will be combined with rural Rutsiro district,” a statement indicated.
He will wrap-up his tour with Nyamasheka District which partly covers Nyugwe Forest National Park, an area where National Liberation Front (FLN) rebels have established camps after waging war on Kagame’s government.
In the recent past, fierce battles have erupted in these jungles leaving hundreds of rebels dead and tens of Rwanda troops dead.
So far a number of the insurgents have been captured including one of their top commanders Callixte Nsabimana Sankara who awaits to be charged in Courts of law.
An official in Kigali who wished to remain unnamed said, Kagame’s initiation of touring Districts along the border especially with Uganda comes after immense criticism by the citizens who are unhappy with government’s directive barring from crossing into Uganda.
“They have been curtailed from conducting business and looking for what to eat. Generally, the situation is along the border particularly on Rwanda side is bad,” said an official.
He added that, as a result of border closure since February, food prices in Rwanda have shot up with a decent meal at a restaurant costing 2500 Francs.
“That is price is unaffordable among many working groups in Rwanda. The situation is terrible. People are very broke,” an official added.
His remarks were evident that Rwandans are suffering more from the border stand-off than Ugandans.
Further, Rwandans living near the border with Uganda are bearing the brunt since they cross to Uganda to access markets and trading centres as well as social services such as education and health.
Sometime back, a pregnant woman fell and died instantly while running away from Rwandan security forces who pursued a group that had crossed to Uganda to get food at Cyanika border.
Similarly, Rwandan Police shot and injured a man last week who was attempting to cross to Uganda at Cyanika.
The shooting came after a directive from President Paul Kagame and various government officials warning nationals against crossing to Uganda for food and medical services.