By Herbert Ssempogo

THE Joint Anti-Terrorism Task Force (JATT) has arrested 15 Ethiopians who attempted to travel to Rwanda early this week. The group was picked on Sunday, moments after their plan to penetrate Rwanda failed, according to a security source.

“They entered Uganda through Busia (at the border with Kenya) where they told border officials that they were going to Rwanda,” the source said.

However, when they got to the border point of Katuna, the Rwandan immigration officers turned them away because they did not have visas.

“When they were turned away, they moved to two other points, including Bunagana, but were denied entry,” the source said.

Security got suspicious when it appeared that passports of six of the men were forged as the pictures did not correspond with their facial appearances. Rwandan authorities informed JATT, which dispatched a team that rounded them up.

Criminal investigations deputy director, Moses Sakira, confirmed that investigations were underway.
He said they liaised with the Ethiopian embassy.

“We were concerned that they could have been involved in criminal acts.
However, preliminary findings indicate that it could be an immigration issue.”
The investigations yesterday suffered a setback when one of them reportedly escaped from the CID head office in Kibuli.

Another security source said the men were scheduled to be deported to Ethiopia.