Rwandan President Paul Kagame has Monday told African leaders convening in Kigali that his problem with Uganda is not Katuna/Gatuna road or border but politics.
He raised several accusations ranging from arrests of Rwandans in Uganda to economic sabotage.
Addressing Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, Kagame said, “we have hundreds of people from Rwanda, arrested, detained in prisons for years in Uganda, without being charged or appearing anywhere in court.”
He added, “This means the message is Uganda is telling Rwandans don’t come here. We have raised this issue with the Ugandan government. We told you if you have people who have committed crimes, deal with that legally and openly.”
On sabotaging Rwanda’s economy, the EAC chairman blames Uganda of regularly impounding Rwandan goods.
“Uganda has seized cargo from Rwanda that belonged to a German investor and held it long for no reason,” he said.
Kagame further accused Uganda of seizing milk exports from Rwanda.
But the Rwandan President didn’t expound on his barrage of accusations.
However, it is understood that sometime back, trucks from Rwanda carrying over 40tones of tantalum and tin valued at Rwf650 million were impounded by Uganda enroute Mombasa in August last year.
The minerals belonged to Mineral Supply Africa, a firm that is based in Rwanda.
The authorities seized the minerals querying the authenticity of the papers issued to the company by Rwanda Mining Board.
They were later released.
Kagame’s accusations and counterclaims come high on heels of a simmering diplomatic fall out between Uganda and Rwanda.
