EXCLUSIVE: Inside Rwanda’s Special Forces Deployment Along Uganda Border

Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) has maintained heavy deployment of elite and regular military forces along the Ugandan border, an investigation by ChimpReports shows. The combatants, who include Special Forces and artillery units are stationed in or around Kamwezi, Maziba, Rubaya, Matanda and Gatuna Town Council. The implementation of the military deployment started in early 2018 and has continued to date. The Ugandan government officials last year asked Rwanda’s Ambassador to Uganda Maj Gen Frank Mugambage to shed more light on his country’s decision to increased military deployment along the border. Mugambage reportedly told Ugandan authorities that “that is the security of our country.” The revelation comes just weeks after Uganda’s relations with Rwanda soured over alleged espionage, support of rival rebel movements in the region, harassment of Rwandans in Uganda and the assassination plot against President Museveni. In hushed voices, Ugandan officials believe Rwanda has been conspiring to take President Museveni’s life. Museveni last year cancelled a trip to Burundi amid fears his presidential jet was being targeted with rockets. Uganda also believes Rwanda is helping rebel Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) movement in DRC to attack Uganda. It remains unclear if all these accusations have been officially communicated to Kigali. Officials speak out Regarding the situation at the border, Kabale Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Darius Nandinda, reassured: “On the security aspect, we are covered. There is no need to worry.” Asked if Uganda has deployed forces along her border, Nandinda responded: “All I can tell you is that we haven’t made any deployment. And there is no tension.” However, Katuna Mayor Nelson Nsangabashaija said “There is visible military deployment on the Rwandan side. Some of them wear civilian clothes. Other Rwandan soldiers cross to Uganda disguised as civilians.” In addition to frequent live fire military drills, Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) last week conducted the quarterly Physical Fitness Tests (PFT) by the active soldiers to “test their military strength performance.” This past Friday, more than a hundred juniors officers and NCOs gathered at Kami military barracks in Gasabo District. The Defence Ministry said this exercise which is currently ongoing with other army officers will continue until all members of RDF have participated. “Physical fitness testing was previously conducted once in a year between July and June. However, the schedule was pushed forward due to the outreach program expected this summer,” said Major Aimee Nzitonda, Staff Officer at J9. Nzitonda added that because citizen outreach program happens annually with the same period as PFT programme, RDF decided to bring closer the exercises so that all program go well and uninterrupted. “PFT builds the fitness and sporting lifestyle among RDF military task force which makes soldiers healthier as an end-result. The annual exercises bring team spirits, builds competitiveness, boosts morale and improves the body immune system of the body therefore minimizing the non-communicable diseases,” he added. Tension Building The tension between Uganda and Rwanda has raised prospects of possible military confrontation. Rwandan diplomats say they’ve written dozens of diplomatic notes to Kampala which are yet to be responded to. Tactfully, the Ugandan government opted to adopt the ‘silence’ strategy which angered President Kagame’s strategists. The Minister of State for Regional Cooperation, Hon Okello Oryem, on Sunday sought to allay fears of a possible armed conflict. "Uganda and Rwanda are two blood brothers. In this regard you can't rule out simple misunderstanding as family do. I beg for calm and patience from both sides.” He said the “diplomatic arm of the Ugandan government is at work to avert this rising tension". Current Situation On the Ugandan side, Kabale RDC Nandinda says traders, truck drivers and businessmen are paying a heavy price. “Rwandans usually come to Uganda to buy food, fuel and other merchandise. This has affected our business people,” he said. Regarding food security, Nandinda said “Uganda is covered because we have enough food. But Rwandans living along the border area don’t have food. They have been using panyas to cross to Uganda in search of food.” He further said Rwandans also cross into Uganda for medical care in government hospitals. “Now people on the Rwandan side don’t have drugs. Their kids who study from Ugandan schools remain home. This is a boomerang for Rwanda,” he told ChimpReports on Monday. The RDC emphasised that efforts have been intensified to resolve any outstanding issues diplomatically. More on the economic aspect, Ugandan buses plying the Kampala-Gatuna route are making losses as they are always empty on return journeys. “The Rwandans are not allowed to visit Uganda. So the buses carry people from Kampala and drop them at Gatuna. There are very few passengers picked by the same buses returning to Kampala. We are likely to see the fares going up as buses struggle to deal with the losses,” said a businessman who preferred anonymity so as to speak freely. Uganda traders who had contracts with Rwandan hotels, restaurants and market dealers to supply perishables are also counting losses. While Rwanda claims Cyanika border is open, Uganda Media Centre on Sunday said Ugandan registered cargo truck units are being kept at bay at the Rwandan border parking yard (four days now). At the same Border point, Ugandan government said, “To clear a truck, they have doubled the price from 200,000 Rwanda Francs to 400,000 Francs (approximately Shs 1.6m).” The tariff on a truck of maize has been increased from Rwandan Francs 150,000 to Rwanda Francs 300,000 (Shs 12m).

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