Regional
The story claiming Rwandan intelligence operatives arrest in Uganda is a deception
The
Chieftaincy of Military intelligence (CMI) through its propaganda online
publication known as SoftPower, today August 16, ran a story with an alarming headline, “Four
Rwandan intelligence operative arrested in Uganda.” Despite the alarming
claims, the story authored by Mivule Gyagenda, displays two Rwandan Identity
cards of one Mugabo Justin and Uwimana Egidie claimed to be Mugabo’s wife, as
well as a demobilization card for
Mugabo. There is no evidence whatsoever that links Mugabo and Egidie to Rwandan
intelligence service. Although the headline claims arrest of four people the
author prefers to show the identity a man and wife.
As
if this was not enough fiction, CMI goes on to claim that, “In yet another
shocking development, SoftPower News, has exclusively learnt that security on
Friday arrested four Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) soldiers in Kyazanga town
council in Lwengo District. Security also arrested a number of their
collaborators in the same area.”
A
security analyst in Kigali asked to comment about the issue laughed at the wild
claim. “It is laughable and unbelievable
how Uganda can arrest RDF soldiers and keeps silent until a bogus online
publication run by CMI “exclusively” breaks the news!” These are the usual
fictitious stories of an incompetent intelligence system in Uganda under Brig.
Gen. Abel Kandiho, he observed.
If
Mugabo served in RDF and was demobilized, CMI mouthpiece does not prove how he
is linked to Rwanda intelligence. Mugabo is not the only demobilized RDF who
lives in Uganda. There are many who still have their families in Uganda and decided
to join them after their service, while others are in Uganda where they own
businesses. They are ordinary citizens who cannot be linked to Rwandan
intelligence or RDF. That is why they do not hide to travel with their Identity
and demobilization cards. To claim that their Rwanda identities were concealed
is outrageous.
The
East African Community integration allows people to widen and deepen economic, political, social
and cultural integration in order to improve the quality of life of
the people of East Africa. Uganda has frustrated this integration process by
arresting Rwandans found on their soil. Raising an alarm that a Rwandan
demobilized soldier was found in Uganda does not only beat logic, but also
against free movement of people in the region.
More
fiction by CMI in Mivule Gyagenda’s story claims that, “Prior to this, a joint
operation by Uganda’s security had busted a Rwandan intelligence cell that was
operating in Kibuye near Kampala under the cover of a church organization,
cracking down on at least 40 members. The arrested members were later reported
to be members of the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS), a
Rwandan intelligence agency.”
Whoever
reads this understands how CMI fails even to tell a lie that can pass as smart
to be believed. “How can Rwanda intelligence agents operate like a swam of
bees, 40 of them in a church? Why were they not charged in courts of law for
espionage?” asked a security analyst in Kigali. This is professionally and
logically impossible, concluded the security analyst.
These
are the usual unprofessional methods of CMI where all innocent Rwandans found
in Uganda are branded Rwanda Intelligence operatives. Uganda has never produced
any evidence against Rwandans arrested and tortured in safe houses to prove
that they are “Rwandan spies.”
However,
what is known is that most of the Rwandans arrested are those who refuse to be
recruited in Rwanda National Congress (RNC) of Kayumba Nyamwasa. The old
fiction story of “40 operatives” found in Kubuye church are the innocent Rwandans we continue to see
being dumped at the Rwanda-Uganda border after gruesome torture ordeals in safe
houses. They are released in small groups at a time without any charges.
The
SoftPower story regurgitates old claims of Rwandan intelligence cells operating
in Uganda, without any tangible evidence to support the wild allegations. The
Pegasus concocted story by western media has been discredited and challenged by
the manufacturers of the software by categorically pointing out that Rwanda is
not among their clients.
The
Rwandan Minister of foreign affairs clarified that “Rwanda does not use this software system, as
previously confirmed in November 2019, and does not possess this technical
capability in any form,” Biruta further
said, “These false accusations are part of an ongoing campaign to cause
tensions between Rwanda and other countries, and to sow disinformation about
Rwanda domestically and internationally.”
CMI
continued harassment of Rwandans in Uganda and recycling of old fictitious
allegations does not help in restoring Rwanda- Uganda relations. It rather
shows Uganda’s persistent plan to continue destabilizing Rwanda.