By Mulengera Reporters
After prolonged silence, Uganda’s Foreign Affairs Minister Sam Kahamba Kutesa has spoken out on the Kampala-Kigali tensions urging the Rwandan President Paul Kagame to mind his business because the Ugandan veteran leader YK Museveni and the NRM government are too busy with better things to do than invest in destabilizing Rwanda. In a three point carefully-worded statement, Kutesa says Uganda knows way much better than wasting time destabilizing a “brotherly” neighbor like Rwanda. In reference to Rwandan Foreign Affairs Minister Dr. Richard Sezibera’s media remarks characterizing Uganda as a hostile neighbor, Kutesa wonders why Sezibera could approach things that way well-knowimg these matters have previously been subject of prolonged confidential diplomatic discussions between the two countries “at the highest level.” He says Uganda doesn’t and can’t host anyone working to destabilize Rwanda or any other neighboring country. He says this is because its own development and transformation depends on peace and security elsewhere in the region. He says Uganda’s record in that direction is clearly visible in the way it continues to champion the strengthening of regional integration initiatives like EAC, ICGLR, IGAD and AU at the continental level. On alleged torture and arrest of Rwandans coming here, the elderly statesman says that doing such would be a total contradiction by a country whose generous open door policy when it comes to hosting foreigners is well known for being the best on the continent. That notwithstanding, Kutesa says Uganda has strong laws to crack the whip on any foreigner who engages in criminal activities including subversion similar to what Rwanda has been complaining about. Having endured terrorism that has claimed lives of prominent sheikhs, policemen and MP Ibrahim Abiriga, Kutesa says there is no way Uganda can do without adequately scrutnizing foreigners coming into its territory. On the blocked flow of both goods and human traffic through the Rwanda border which has since deprived the two countries of lots of money in taxes, Kutesa says its unfortunate Kigali has acted that way well-knowing the extent to which the two countries have always believed in “common prosperity.” Kutesa, who implies positivity and optimism the Kampala-Kigali stalemate will eventually be resolved, however seems fearful the latest stand off will hurt the regional integration which he says both countries have worked so hard to achieve. For comments, call or text us 0752510225.
