The Ministry of Foreign affairs has today issued a statement refuting the allegations that Uganda closed its border with Rwanda. “Uganda wishes to refute allegations that it closed its border with Rwanda. Since February 28, 2019 when the Government of Rwanda issued an advisory against travel of its nationals to Uganda, flow of traffic from […]
The Ministry of Foreign affairs has today issued a statement refuting the allegations that Uganda closed its border with Rwanda.
“Uganda wishes to refute allegations that it closed its border with Rwanda. Since February 28, 2019 when the Government of Rwanda issued an advisory against travel of its nationals to Uganda, flow of traffic from Rwanda to Uganda to has been continuing normally…. What is happening on the ground however is that export of Ugandan goods to Rwanda have been prohibited by Rwanda authorities. The same authorities are only allowing crossing into Rwanda those trucks carrying transit goods destined for Rwanda or transiting through Rwanda from the Democratic Republic of Congo and other places. ” , the statement signed by minister Hon. Sam Kuteesa reads in part.
Here is the full statement;
Following to standoff, the East African Law Society (EALS) has stepped in to reconcile feuding Uganda and Rwanda.
The premier bar association in the region says it has mobilised experienced diplomats, senior lawyers, influential civil society officials and representatives of the business community for the task.
“We are separately reaching out to the heads of state of Rwanda and Uganda with the offer for mediation,” Willy Rubeya, the president of the legal body, said in a statement yesterday.
He added that in a short while, EALS shall avail the team and keep the public informed of the status of the dispute resolution.
The Arusha-based regional bar with more than 17,000 lawyers, has an observer status to the East African Community (EAC).
One of the organisation’s mandates is to promote regional integration through cross border trade and building capacity of legal, professional and public institutions.
It also appealed to the leaders of the two countries to re-open and operationalise their common border even as lasting solution to the crisis is sought.
Rubeya also expressed profound concern on the deteriorating relations between the two neighbours “due to the fact that are now in public domain”.
