Uganda Releases More Rwandan Prisoners Ahead of Presidents’ Meeting at Katuna

Rwanda received more of its nationals released by Uganda on Tuesday as the two east African neighbors work to end months of cold peace.

Led by Foreign Affairs Minister Sam Kutesa, Uganda handed over the thirteen Rwandans to their Rwandan counterparts at the Kampala Serena Hotel.

This follows the release of another batch of nine prisoners that were handed over to the Rwandan government at the Katuna border post last month.

They were being accused of spying and political meddling in Kampala’s military court.

However, the government of Uganda decided to withdraw the charges against them in line with the memorandum of understanding signed between the two republics of Uganda and Rwanda.

Minister Kutesa said that the gesture is further intended to show Uganda’s commitment to normalizing ties between the two erstwhile allies which took a negative turn when Kigali closed its border to Ugandan exports last February, denying Kampala millions of dollars in revenue.

Another landmark activity is expected when President Museveni meets his Rwandan counterpart at the common border at Katuna before the end of February.