A senior Rwandan police officer wanted in Kigali over misappropriation of funds has fled to Uganda.
Chief Inspector of Police Edward Higiro alias Kaguta arrived in Kampala two weeks ago, claiming that the Kigali authorities were persecuting him.
Rwanda’s tri-weekly newspaper, New Times, last weekend quoted Rwanda’s Commissioner General of Police, Andrew Rwigamba, as saying that he had written to the Uganda government, asking for the arrest and extradition of Higiro.
Police spokesman Asuman Mugenyi confirmed that Higiro was in the country, but said he was not under government protection.
“That officer came here, but he sought the protection of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and this makes his extradition a bit hard,” Mugenyi said.
Higiro is among half a dozen high profile Rwandan security officers who have recently fled to or passed through Uganda to other destinations.
Rwigamba was quoted by New Times as saying that he was in touch with the Ugandan police.
“Within the framework of good neighbourliness, the East African Police Protocol and Interpol in the crusade against transnational crime, we are sure he will be handed over for prosecution,” Rwigamba said.
Higiro, who was the director of finance in the Rwandan police force since its inception five years ago, is accused of embezzling millions in connivance with seven other department staff.
