The Ministry of Foreign affairs has described the current tension between Uganda and Rwanda “a simple misunderstanding” in a short statement.
This comes on the heels of recent media reports that the Rwandan authorities had blocked their citizens from crossing to Uganda over a tirade of safety concerns.
In statement released yesterday, the Minister of State for Foreign affairs, Hon Okello Oryem said,
“#Uganda & #Rwanda are two blood brothers in this regard you can’t rule out simple misunderstanding as family do. I beg for calm & patience from both sides. The Diplomatic arm @GovUganda is at work to avert this rising tension”.
Various Rwandan personalities have been quoted saying that their citizens are faced with a vast number of challenges leading to the current blockade at all border points and reports of military deployment.
The government spokesman Ofwono Opondo however dismissed the concerns saying that it’s within their rights for the Rwandan military to deploy within their territory without necessary concern.
” Uganda remains welcoming to Rwanda nationals, but specific cases raised on alleged arbitrary arrests or detentions shall be handled through normal diplomatic channels”.
The government spokesman also called on Rwandan authorities to expedite the process of clearing goods destined for Rwanda saying, ” There is easement of customs at #MiramaHills, but #Kyanika and #Katuna remain closed. @URAuganda requests #Rwanda to clear trucks already at Katuna while oncoming traffic get diverted at Ntungamo to Mirama.”