Uganda on Wednesday dropped charges against nine Rwandans.
Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr Sam Kutesa told journalists in Kampala that the move is in line with the Uganda-Rwanda Memorandum of Understanding that was signed in Angola last year.
“The government of Uganda has withdrawn charges of nine Rwandan individuals that were undergoing charges (at the Court Martial). The nine individuals have been handed to the Rwandan High Commissioner and will be repatriated today,” he said.
Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Uganda Maj Gen Frank Mugambage said the principle of arbitrary arrests must stop and Uganda’s decision to release Rwandan national a step in the right direction.
In a rejoinder, Mr Kutesa said: “Let me set the record straight. We have withdrawn charges. These people were not arbitrary arrested. It was an act of goodwill and we hope it will be reciprocated.”
The release of the Rwandans came five days after President Museveni pledged a new beginning and vowed to restore relations between Rwanda and Uganda.