Border shooting: Uganda protests killing of civilians by Rwandan soldiers
The government of Uganda has protested the killing of its national, and the violation of its territorial integrity by Rwandan soldiers on Friday, calling the move a provocation.
In a statement issued on Saturday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Uganda demands Rwanda to take action against the perpetrators of the attack and ensure that there is no recurrence of such incidents in the future.
“The Government of Uganda protests in the strongest terms the violation of its territorial integrity by Rwandan soldiers and the criminal, brutal and violent act by the Rwandan soldiers on Ugandan territory against unarmed civilians. The Ministry demands that action be taken against the perpetrators of this attack,” the statement reads in part.
Rwandan soldiers shot dead, one Ugandan identified as Alex Nyesiga and a Rwandan identified as John Batista on Friday at Hamisavu trading center, Kiruhura village, Kamwezi sub-county in Rukiga district. The incident occurred more than 50 meters inside Uganda but Rwandan police claimed the shooting happened in Rwanda.
But observers on social media have expressed disbelief in the Rwandan account of events, wondering how the bodies of the deceased ended up in Uganda.
BELOW IS THE GOVERNMENT STATEMENT
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uganda presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Rwanda and has the honour to bring to the latter’s attention the serious concern of the Government of the Republic Uganda regarding an incident of murder that occurred on Ugandan territory.
On Friday 24th May 2019 at about 1955hrs at Hamisavu Trading Center at Kiruhura village, Kashekye Parish Kamwezi sub-county in Rukiga District, Rwandan soldiers shot dead two people, one Ugandan by the names of Nyesiga Alex and one Rwandan called Kyerengye John Batista. This incident occurred more than fifty (50) meters inside Ugandan territory.
The incident happened when John Batista aged 25 –years-old, a resident of Nkoma cell, Ntarabwe Parish, Burasirazooba sub county, Nyagatare District, attempted to cross into Rwanda on a motorcycle loaded with his merchandise but turned back upon seeing security presence across the border. He was chased and intercepted by two armed Rwandan soldiers, a distance of more than 50 meters inside Uganda territory at Hamisavu Trading Center. The victim (John Batista) resisted arrest and was shot in the head and died instantly. The armed soldiers, in addition, shot Nyesiga Alex, a Ugandan national who tried to intervene. He died on the way to a nearby Health Center. The Rwandan soldiers retreated back to Rwanda after failed attempts to forcefully remove the body from Ugandan territory.
The Uganda Government is ready to hand over the body of the deceased Rwandan national on – Monday 27th May 2019 at Katuna border.
The Government of Uganda protests in the strongest terms the Violation of its territorial integrity by Rwandan soldiers and the criminal, brutal and violent act by the Rwandan soldiers, on Ugandan territory, against unarmed civilians. The Ministry demands that action be taken against the perpetrators of this attack. The Government of Rwanda is strongly urged to take appropriate measures to avoid recurrence of such provocative incidents in the future.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uganda avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Rwanda, the assurances of its highest consideration.
Kampala, 25 May 2019
