Rwanda expels Uganda envoy
Apr 09, 2006
RWANDA has expelled a Ugandan diplomat, signalling worsening relations between the former allies.
By Felix Osike
RWANDA has expelled a Ugandan diplomat, signalling worsening relations between the former allies.
Sources said Rwanda on Saturday gave the Counsellor and Deputy Head of Mission, Arthur Katsigazi, 48 hours to leave Kigali. It was not clear whether Uganda had also expelled Rwanda’s First Secretary John Ngarambe, who was on April 2 arrested in a hotel room over suspected adultery. However, foreign affairs minister Sam Kutesa said yesterday, “We have recalled Katsigazi but I don’t want to conduct diplomatic business in the newspapers.â€
He declined to give details on the saga which was triggered off by Ngarambe’s arrest, who Rwanda says was framed.
The Police on Friday said Ngarambe was arrested after the husband of the woman with whom he was arrested reported an adultery case on April 1.
This was after the woman, who had told her husband that she was going for a graduation party, was trailed to room 220 at Windsor Hotel in Entebbe, an explanation dismissed by Rwanda.
Rwanda’s foreign minister Dr. Charles Murigande said Katsigazi was asked to leave in July last year but Uganda delayed to implement the decision.
“In July last year Uganda was not happy with Gerald Mbanda (then First Secretary) and they told us to withdraw him and we also told them they should withdraw Katsigazi. It was a gentleman’s agreement. We did that but Uganda delayed implementing what was agreed,†said Murigande.
He said it was normal practice for countries to review the performance of diplomats.
Murigande said he spoke to Kutesa on Saturday but declined to reveal the details, saying they would soon meet in Bujumbura.
Asked about the relations between the countries, he replied, “I would be lying to you if I said they are excellent.†On April 4, Murigande sent a protest note to the Uganda government asking for an apology over the alleged harassment of Ngarambe.
Yesterday he maintained that the diplomat was framed.
“There is no slight doubt about that. He was definitely framed. Those who framed him boasted in the media to have done a good job.â€
He said Ngarambe had not been recalled but would leave if Uganda asks him to go.†He has a country. He is not a refugee,†he said. The worsening relations also come amid reports by Rwanda intelligence that Uganda is planning to host a meeting of Rwanda dissidents in Kampala.
Uganda army spokesman Maj. Felix Kulayigye, however, said, “As far as we are concerned there is no meeting of Rwandan dissident rebels scheduled, neither do we have dissidents.â€
President Paul Kagame recently said Uganda and Rwanda needed a fresh start.
RWANDA has expelled a Ugandan diplomat, signalling worsening relations between the former allies.
Sources said Rwanda on Saturday gave the Counsellor and Deputy Head of Mission, Arthur Katsigazi, 48 hours to leave Kigali. It was not clear whether Uganda had also expelled Rwanda’s First Secretary John Ngarambe, who was on April 2 arrested in a hotel room over suspected adultery. However, foreign affairs minister Sam Kutesa said yesterday, “We have recalled Katsigazi but I don’t want to conduct diplomatic business in the newspapers.â€
He declined to give details on the saga which was triggered off by Ngarambe’s arrest, who Rwanda says was framed.
The Police on Friday said Ngarambe was arrested after the husband of the woman with whom he was arrested reported an adultery case on April 1.
This was after the woman, who had told her husband that she was going for a graduation party, was trailed to room 220 at Windsor Hotel in Entebbe, an explanation dismissed by Rwanda.
Rwanda’s foreign minister Dr. Charles Murigande said Katsigazi was asked to leave in July last year but Uganda delayed to implement the decision.
“In July last year Uganda was not happy with Gerald Mbanda (then First Secretary) and they told us to withdraw him and we also told them they should withdraw Katsigazi. It was a gentleman’s agreement. We did that but Uganda delayed implementing what was agreed,†said Murigande.
He said it was normal practice for countries to review the performance of diplomats.
Murigande said he spoke to Kutesa on Saturday but declined to reveal the details, saying they would soon meet in Bujumbura.
Asked about the relations between the countries, he replied, “I would be lying to you if I said they are excellent.†On April 4, Murigande sent a protest note to the Uganda government asking for an apology over the alleged harassment of Ngarambe.
Yesterday he maintained that the diplomat was framed.
“There is no slight doubt about that. He was definitely framed. Those who framed him boasted in the media to have done a good job.â€
He said Ngarambe had not been recalled but would leave if Uganda asks him to go.†He has a country. He is not a refugee,†he said. The worsening relations also come amid reports by Rwanda intelligence that Uganda is planning to host a meeting of Rwanda dissidents in Kampala.
Uganda army spokesman Maj. Felix Kulayigye, however, said, “As far as we are concerned there is no meeting of Rwandan dissident rebels scheduled, neither do we have dissidents.â€
President Paul Kagame recently said Uganda and Rwanda needed a fresh start.