By Obed Kankiriho
Police in Kisoro District are holding 10 nationals of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for allegedly entering Uganda illegally through an ungazetted border point.
The suspects were arrested by a Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) enforcement team yesterday inside Echuya National Park, where they had allegedly trespassed into the protected area.
According to Kigezi Regional Police spokesperson Nelson Tumushime, the suspects reportedly bypassed the gazetted Bunagana border post and entered Uganda without valid travel documents or undergoing immigration clearance and health screening.
The group was reportedly travelling to Kampala through Kabale District when they were intercepted inside the national park. Police say the suspects failed to produce valid identification or travel documents and could not satisfactorily explain the purpose of their visit.
They have been identified as Shameshu Makele Espoir, Alliance Busomeke, Ngabucha Love, Merveille Justine Odhua, Akilimali Balume, Asifiwe Chintalia, Jakisa Kermundu, Kukuni Mukulumanya, Iragi Chebuluzi Bahati and Mukengere Biralungira.
The 10 are detained at Kisoro Central Police Station on allegations of illegal entry, contrary to the Uganda Citizenship and Immigration Control Act, as investigations continue.
Police have warned foreign nationals against using ungazetted border crossings and cautioned Ugandans against harbouring, transporting or employing undocumented immigrants.
The arrests come amid heightened security concerns in Kisoro following a series of deadly shooting incidents.
The latest involved the killing of Kiyaga, founder and executive director of Deaf Link Uganda, who was shot dead at Mucha Lodges along the Mutolere-Nyundo road near Lake Mulehe on the night of November 5.
A police officer guarding the premises was also injured during the attack. Preliminary reports indicate that Kiyaga sustained about seven gunshot wounds.
Kisoro Deputy Resident District Commissioner Dan Ndikumwami says six people, including four hotel employees, a tour guide and a police officer, have been arrested to assist with investigations into the murder.
The killing came barely three weeks after businessman Africano Nteziyaremye and his wife, Peace Kyompeire, were shot dead by unidentified assailants at their home in Zindiro Cell, Kamonyi Ward, Kisoro Municipality, on October 17.
Kigezi Regional Police spokesperson Nelson Tumushime has appealed to residents to cooperate with security agencies by providing information that could help identify and apprehend those responsible for the recent attacks.
