Tension as Rwandan Security Arrest Ugandan Businessman

Tension is soaring once again at the Uganda–Rwanda border following the reported arrest of a prominent Ugandan businessman under unclear circumstances.

Emmanuel Sebuzuru, who is the Manager of Horizon Bus Company was reportedly arrested on Wednesday near the border town of Cyanika in Kisoro district. A Ugandan security official speaking anonymously told our reporter that Sebuzuru was arrested when he crossed to Ruhengeri Town in the Northern Province of Rwanda to pick up company money.

He was arrested on his way back.

Geoffrey Barore Nombe, the traders’ association chairman at the Cyanika border says Sebuzuru had earlier in the day received a phone call from the Manager of Jaguar Bus Company in Ruhengeri, inviting him to cross to Rwanda and pick up the money for banking.

Borore says Sebuzuru was cleared by both Ugandan and Rwandan Immigration officials to cross to Ruhengeri to pick the money.

“However, he was intercepted at the border while crossing back to Uganda and questioned why he was carrying huge sums of Ugandan money, because he had exchanged Rwandan Francs worth 5 million Shillings,” he says.

Borore says Sebuzuru was tasked to explain where he was taking the money and to prove its source. A lady, only identified as Zauda, who had handed him the money was also arrested afterwards.

Borore claims Rwandan security officials told them that Sebuzuru had been wanted in Rwanda for facilitating Rwanda National Congress (RNC), a rebel group led by Faustin Kayumba Nyamwasa.

Borore says that their efforts to secure Sebuzuru’s release did not yield positive results. On Thursday evening, he was transferred from the border to Kigali for further questioning. According to traders, the arrest is an indication that Ugandans who cross to Rwanda put their lives at risk.

Kisoro District Police Commander Charles Okotto expressed reservations on the arrest. Rwanda closed its borders with Uganda on February 27, 2019, to purportedly expedite the construction of the single customs post at Gatuna border.  Rwanda advised truck drivers destined to Kigali to use Kagitumba border via Mirama Hills.

However, Rwandan officials including President, Paul Kagame later accused Ugandan authorities of abducting its citizens and locking them up in ungazetted areas.

Rwanda also accused Uganda of hosting and facilitating dissidents especially Rwanda National Congress-RNC and the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda FDLR, which have declared war on the Kigali government.

Source: chimpreports.com