This reaction by Rwanda in a statement released in Kigali late on Thursday, comes after Ugandan Foreign Affairs Minister Sam Kuteesa declared that Kigali has introduced an export permit system for those that intend to export goods to Uganda.
In addition, Kutesa, further said the export of Ugandan goods has been prohibited by Rwandan authorities.
Reacting to these allegations, the Rwandan government said that one of the fundamental issue in the current diplomatic row between the two countries is especially about the fate of hundreds of Rwandans, whose names are known to the government of Uganda.
It said these Rwandese nationals have been killed, arrested, incarcerated without consular access and tortured, nor the close to one thousand illegally deported to Rwanda in inhumane conditions.
In turn Kigali accused Ugandan of backing armed groups and terrorist organisations hostile to Rwanda, including RNC, FDLR and others, who it claimed are backed in their subversive activities, including recruitment, by institutions and officials in Kampala.
It said that the details of these concerns have been repeatedly communicated to the government of Uganda, without any reaction from Kampala.
Reports by authorities in Kigali indicate that the targeting of ordinary Rwandan citizens involved in regular business and trade activities, within the framework of the East African Community and the hampering of the free movement of goods, including perishables, to and through Uganda is another fundamental issue that needs to be addressed by the Ugandan government.
“It is not possible to have free trade including free movement of goods if traders are killed, tortured, extorted and their property are illegally seized,” the statement said while stressing that Rwanda’s commitment to free movement of people, including Ugandans, goods and services within the region and on the continent is unquestionable.
Rwanda also called upon the government of Uganda to address the key issues stated and as already repeatedly communicated in bilateral settings, according to the same source.