The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has welcomed a move by neighbors Rwanda to reopen the Gatuna border, to allow crossing of Ugandan Nationals and trade into their country.
Rwanda closed the border on February 27, 2019 after President Paul Kagame accused Ugandan authorities of spying on Rwanda, abducting Rwandan citizens and locking them up in non-designated areas, as well as hosting and facilitating dissidents who have declared war on the Kigali administration.
Rwanda then issued a travel advisory to its nationals against traveling to Uganda, saying their safety was not guaranteed.
However, on 28th January 2022, the Rwandan government announced her plans to reopen the border today 31st January 2022. The FDC party spokesperson Hon. Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda told reporters during the weekly party press conference on Monday morning that the aims and objectives enshrined in the party Constitution is to “Establish and maintain good relationships between Uganda and her neighbors,” Article 6 (v) of the FDC Constitution.
“It is therefore in this regard that we thank the Republic of Rwanda for considering the re-opening of her main border crossing into Uganda at Gatuna” said Nganda.
He explained that the closure of Gatuna border caused unnecessary suffering to the citizens of both nations especially the people of Kabale, Ntungamo and Kisoro on the side of Uganda, who he says suffered most.
“These people not only trade with Rwanda but many have family linkages. It is therefore a relief for them in particular and the rest of the country to have this border re-opened. Closure of the border was the highest form of expression of dissatisfaction by Rwanda against Uganda. The FDC considers re-opening just a step in resuscitating a badly broken down relationship” he added.
Hon. Nganda says that the FDC hopes Rwanda will build and consider her relationship with Uganda as a relationship between nations and people and not relationship with a sitting government and the family of a ruler.
“Rwanda, we hear you when you complain that your citizens were being abducted and kept in torture chambers. This is characteristic of this regime. The FDC would like in the same regard to advise Mr. Museveni to stop risking our country and lives of our citizens through aggressive foreign policy. During this period of closure as many as five citizens have been shot and killed in Rwanda. These families of these people must be compensated” Nganda advised.
