30 RPA Officers Held In Makindye

By Emmy Allio UGANDA has rounded up over 30 former Rwandan army officers, among them Major Michael Mupende, who had fled to Uganda, sources said yesterday. President Yoweri Museveni presented the list of the officers to Rwandan President Maj. Gen. Paul Kagame while meeting him in London on Tuesday. Sources said the officers, now being detained in Makindye army barracks, are being considered for refugee status by the UN refugee agency, UNHCR. UNHCR spokesperson Bushra Malik yesterday refused to comment. But the pro-Rwanda government newspaper, The New Times, said Uganda is holding over 20 Rwandans and Ugandans of Rwandese origin. The Kigali-based paper said Mupende was helping Ugandan military identify Rwandans for arrest but Uganda security officials denied Mupende’s involvement. Among those arrested is said to be former RPA 3rd battalion commander, Major Alphonse Furuma, whom Rwanda accuses of fleeing with $18,000 in soldiers’ pay. The deputy Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence, Major James Mugira, said Mupende and all others are in jail. The New Times yesterday also reported that four Rwanda immigration officials attached to the Gatuna border post were abducted by Ugandan security. Uganda on Wednesday admitted arresting an RPA officer, Lt. Charles Gahutu, but said he was handed over to the Rwandan envoy in Kampala. Mugira said only one Rwandan was arrested and others had fled. He said, “I briefed the Rwandan envoy on what happened. I think the Rwandan paper has got its facts wrong.” Uganda and Rwanda have accused each other of training dissidents against the other. Ends