Nine Rwandan nationals- seven of whom were released by the Court Martial sitting at Makindye in Kampala on Tuesday have been handed over to Rwandan envoy Maj. Gen. Frank Mugambage.
The hand over ceremony happened on Wednesday at Serena Hotel in Kampala in the presence of Uganda’s Foreign Minister Hon. Sam Kuteesa, Mugambage and Uganda’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Adonia Ayebare who recently met President Paul Kagame.
Minister Kuteesa said authorities in Kampala will hastily kick off the repatriation process of these Rwandans today (Wednesday).
“In line with the Uganda-Rwanda Memorandum of Understanding signed in Angola “the government of Uganda has withdrawn charges of nine Rwandan individuals that were undergoing charges at the Court Martial,” said Kuteesa.
Kuteesa asked Rwanda to also release Ugandans detained in Kigali.
“Let me set the record straight. We have withdrawn charges. These people were not arbitrary arrested. It was an act of goodwill and we hope it will be reciprocated.”
Rwanda High Commissioner Gen. Mugambage referred to the exercise as a step in the right direction of the two East African nations that have long been harbouring frosty relations that resulted into closure of Katuna/Gatuna border post by Kigali.
Mugambage hopes that this is journey of good will that has been started by Uganda. He claims that Uganda should also put an end to the support of the bad elements against Rwanda.
General Court Martial has on Tuesday, January 7, 2020, released seven Rwandan nationals from Prison after the state dropped charges of unlawful possession of firearms, ammunition and military uniforms against them.
The released are; Rene Rutagungira, Bahati Pacifique Mugenga, Emmanuel Rwamucho, Augustine Rutayisire, Charles Byaruhanga, Etien Nsanzabahizi and Claude Iyakaremye.
The group had appeared before a seven-member court chaired by Lt. Gen Andrew Gutti, however, prosecutors Lt. Col Raphael Mugisha and Capt. Ambrose Baguma tendered before court withdraw letters indicating that the state has lost interest in perusing the charges against them thus asking to set them free.