| Museveni writes to Kagame | ||
| By Frank Nyakairu & Mercy Nalugo | ||
| KAMPALA - While Parliament's Presidential and Foreign Affairs committee was issuing summons to four senior ministers to explain the escalating tension between Uganda and Rwanda, President Yoweri Museveni yesterday sent a special message to his Rwandan counterpart Maj. Gen Paul Kagame. The Minister for Foreign Affairs Sam Kutesa delivered Museveni's "special message" to Kigali yesterday morning. "He has gone there as President Museveni's special envoy," said the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Julius Onen when asked about the content of the message. "This is communication between two heads of state and it's in not for public consumption," Onen said.
However Uganda's ambassador to Rwanda, Adonia Ayebare, threw more light on the message when contacted by phone. "The Minister briefed President Kagame about the transition process in Uganda," he said. "As a neighbour, Rwanda has an interest in developments in Uganda and it is prudent to keep them up to date. They also brief us from time to time about developments in Rwanda." Kutesa's visit comes a week after three junior officers fled Rwanda to Uganda. Three UPDF soldiers are on trial in the Army 1st Division Court Martial for allegedlly spying for Rwanda. The British government in the past m ediated talks to improve relations between the two states after they traded accusations of harbouring each other's dissidents. Ugandan legislators, chaired by Kampala Woman MP Ms Margaret Zziwa, yesterday resolved to meet ministers Amama Mbabazi (Defence), Betty Akech (Security), Ruhakana Rugunda (Internal Affairs) and Sam Kutesa (Foreign Affairs) over the two countries' relations. The ministers are scheduled to appear before the committee next Tuesday. "There seems to be some tension between Uganda and Rwanda again and more Rwandans are coming to Uganda. What is the problem?" Mr Patrick Ochieng (Bukooli South) asked. Ochieng said about 8,000 people from Rwanda had sought refugee in Nakivale Camp in Mbarara District. "And 10 people are coming in everyday," he said. Ms Jaria Bintu (Masindi Woman) informed MPs that it's not only the Rwandans that were coming into the country, but also Congolese. "It is important that the government gives an explanation about the i nflux of these refugees because even Congolese are coming in from Congo to Hoima, Nebbi and Masindi," Bintu said. Ochieng said other Congolese are settling in Kyangwali in Hoima District. Ms Sammy Loote (Moroto Municipality) said the refugees were posing a security threat to the country. "Some are received but they disappear mysteriously within the country. Aren't they a threat to the country's security?" wondered Loote. Zziwa said a joint meeting of all the concerned ministers was inevitable. The MPs have also drafted a memo to present to Museveni in which they have raised a number of concerns. They say the president should clarify on his election manifesto and the Shs5 billion pledges he made to the people. "There are complaints of eviction of people by the National Environmental Management Authority and the National Forestry Authority. The president should tell us their fate," Ochieng said. |
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