By Goodluck Musinguzi
Longtime ago we were told states respect the no man’s land at interstate borders.
Yesterday (10th/2/2020), Ugandan authorities decided to clean part of the no mans land which will host President Yoweri Museveni and Paul Kagame next week.
Prisoners from Ndorwa government prison based in Kabale town were driven to the border 22kms.
While soldiers, police, prisoners and intelligence personal were pacing up and down.
Among prisoners was a Rwandese who chose to walk to his freedom without discharge from Uganda government.
He decided to walk knowing no one would shoot him or forcefully pick him.
As he walked in his yellow uniform to Katuna border, the Rwandan security officials received him with open hands looking at what their colleagues would do.
Tension lasted until when the Rwandan prisoner entered his country without documents, received well and given comfort.
A decision was made to stop the cleaning exercise , demobilize the prisoners back to Kabale town.
The crossing of a prisoner whose crime is not known and Rwanda authorities not sending him back has shown the mistrust and what will happen next week as heads of state meet.
The border has not been short of drama before when RDF soldiers led by Brig Gen Jack Nziza stripped Uganda’s Presidential motorcade of important vehicles.
It was the lowest moment of the country’s relationship after Kisangani fighting.
President Museveni stayed cool went to Kigali for a few hours handed over Comesa chairmanship.
After so many years of relative peace and less tensions, the world will be treated to a North-South Korea border tension.
We pray for the two countries to avoid anything that makes everyone regret.
