Non-governmental organizations in Uganda have filed a lawsuit against the Rwanda and over the border closure regulations, saying they have harmed the people.
Since February, the government of Rwanda has closed the heavily used Gatuna border and “advised” Rwandans not to travel to Uganda.
The authorities said that they did not close all the borders but that one border was closed for repairs.
This happened during the political conflict between the two countries that continues to this day
Cities and areas close to the border of Rwanda and Uganda were disturbed by these decisions, according to these organizations.
Deborah Kyarisiima, the deputy head of the Women Traders Association in the Gatuna border in Uganda, says that there are people who had taken loans to do cross-border business but now they are running away because they would be charged and have nothing to pay.
They are asking for punitive damages
They say that the inhabitants of these areas, especially the women who do business between the two countries, are “due to poverty” since Rwanda took these decisions.
The complaint of these organizations against the two governments has been submitted to the court of the East African Community, which states that the closure of the border is against the rules of the organization.
Uganda was particularly disturbed by these decisions because the Bank of this country says that exports to Rwanda decreased by 80% in the third month compared to the second month.
Each side, Rwanda and Uganda, accuses the other of interfering in the internal affairs of the country.
The Minister of International Relations of Uganda, Sam Kutesa, said that these allegations are plain lies.
Rwandan citizens have been warned by the authorities not to come to Uganda because they are abused, beaten to death and deported.
In fact, it’s not just to warn them because the Rwandan soldiers have been sent to the border to prevent them from crossing.
Eric Twahirwa
