Uganda: Police arrest 45 Rwandans on terrorism charges

Event

On Friday, December 29, Ugandan police announced that they recently arrested 45 Rwandan nationals in Uganda on terrorism charges and on charges of possession of false identification and travel documents. Ugandan police arrested 43 such suspects on Monday, December 11, near the Ugandan-Tanzanian border; two more suspects were arrested following an associated investigation.

The Rwandan government has accused the 45 people arrested in Uganda of having ties to the exiled Rwandan National Congress (RNC) opposition party, considered a terrorist group in Rwanda. As of Friday, all 45 arrested Rwandan nationals are detained at Nalufenya Prison (eastern Uganda).

Context

Geopolitical tensions have increased between Rwanda and Uganda in recent weeks and months. Most recently, on December 13, Rwandan government officials condemned Uganda for unjustifiably arresting Rwandan citizens, including ruling Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) party members.

Additionally, for years the Rwandan government has alleged that Uganda aids rebel factions within its borders and actively facilitates their recruitment efforts, including supporting the RNC.

Advice

Individuals in Uganda and Rwanda are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid all protests and demonstrations due to the threat of violence, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities.