By Mercy Nalugo
July 15, 2004
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PARLIAMENT - Foreign Affairs Minister Tom Butime yesterday apologised for the Brussels incident where Congolese nationals beat up Uganda�s ambassador to Belgium, Deo Rwabiita. He blamed the Belgian government for failing to protect the envoy. �It was the responsibility of the Belgian government to provide security to the ambassador or the Brussels authority to provide security at the venue. Ambassadors are protected by host countries,� Butime said on behalf of the government. Rwabiita was attacked on June 30 on his way to the DR Congo National Day celebrations for Uganda�s alleged looting of their country�s resources and the ongoing insecurity. According to press reports, when Rwabiita arrived at the venue and introduced himself as Uganda�s ambassador to Belgium, the Congolese youths beat him up. His vehicle was reportedly smashed and no police came to his rescue. Butime yesterday told MPs on the Presidential and Foreign Affairs committee that according to the diplomatic rules, the host countries provide security for foreign envoys. Samia Bugwe North MP Aggrey Awori had earlier asked Butime to explain the protection given to Uganda�s envoys and property abroad. � The ambassador in Brussels was harrased. The American ambassador has got marines to protect him and other ambassadors are protected by their states. Do we have any reciprocal arrangements for our ambassadors and property?� Awori asked. Butime said if the countries so wish, they could offer security to their ambassadors. He said Uganda couldn�t afford this due to inadequate funds. �But it was also necessary for the ambassador to use his intelligence to know whether there is security where he was going,� Butime said. He said there is a lot of hooliganism in Belgium by ruffians. �And they do not know that relations between DR Congo and Uganda have improved. There are ruffians who do not mind and look at Ugandans as looters,� Butime said. He said every thing was being done to ensure such an event does not occur again. |
� 2004 The Monitor Publications
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