One Rwandan national killed, two others injured at border

A Rwandan national was killed and two others sustained serious injuries on Friday night after being shot by Rwandan security operatives, who accused them of smuggling crude waragi (local gin) into Rwanda from Uganda.

The chairperson of Ryakarimira Town Council, Mr Enock Kazooba, said the incident happened at around 10:30 pm when eight Rwandans crossed from Muguri Village in Kabale District to Nyakena Village in Burera District in Rwanda.

He added that the incident happened in Rwanda about 100 metres away from the Uganda-Rwanda Border.

Mr Kazooba said he was informed by residents of Muguri Village about the injured Rwandans in their area at around 10:30 pm and rushed to the scene.

“I found one Kyaboobo Bizumuramye, 23, from Sebukuma Village in Burera District, already dead. He was shot in the chest. The injured are Lusizi Rwamayangye, 22, and Ronald Nyihabusa, 23, all residents of the same village,” Mr Kazooba said yesterday.

He said the remaining five Rwandans were arrested and taken to Ryakarimira Police Station for further investigations.

The acting Kabale District health officer, Mr Alfred Besigensi, said the victims were taken to Rubaya health centre IV and the two injured ones were out of danger.

“The gunshot wounds are being managed and all the victims are out of danger, although one them may require a referral because his right arm was badly hit,” Mr Besigensi said.

The Kabale District police commander, Mr Brian Ampeire, said plans were underway to pick the body of the deceased from Rubaya Health Centre IV to Kabale Hospital mortuary awaiting repatriation.

“We are visiting the scene of crime first as investigations into the matter continue,” Mr Ampeire said yesterday.

Background

Border crisis: Ever since the Rwandan authorities closed the common border with Uganda in March last year, several Rwandans and Ugandans resorted to smuggling goods from Uganda.

Five Ugandans have so far been shot dead by the Rwandan security personnel for allegedly smuggling goods into Rwanda.