There has been a lot of mixed reactions following the ruckus that happened in Kabale district near the border of Rwanda.
This was after a Ugandan identified as Levy Byomuhangi was kidnapped by suspected Rwandan security personnel, a months after the two countries signed a peace keeping treat to end such types of scenes.
It is said that Byomuhangi, a resident of Rugarama village in Nyinamuronzi ward, Katuna was kidnapped by gunmen dressed in Rwandan army uniform at Mushenyi village, Karuhanga parish, Rubaya Sub County, about 20 metres away from Uganda-Rwanda border.
Mr Saime Twesigomwe, the Rubaya Sub County, LC3 Chairperson said that the security personnel crossed into Uganda while pursuing suspected smugglers but instead arrested Byomuhangi after failing to trace the smugglers.
“Mr Byomuhangi was heading home from Mushenyi village where he had spent the whole day burning charcoal. The gunmen dressed in Rwandan army uniform from nowhere handcuffed him and took him to Rwanda,” he said.
Mr Nelson Nshangabasheija, the Katuna Town Council LC3 Chairperson described the incident as unfortunate saying that Byomuhangi’s family is living in fear that he could be harmed.
Lieutenant Colonel Robert Nahamya, the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) 19th Battalion Commander said that Ugandan security officials have contacted their counterparts in Rwanda demanding for Byomuhangi’s release.
It should be noted that In April 2019, three farmers Susan Rwanjungu, Junensia Bazongoza and Jovia Ruvungafu, were arrested by armed Rwandan soldiers while digging in their gardens and taken into Rwanda.
The Uganda-Rwanda border has been closed since February 2019 following a diplomatic row between the two countries.