Uganda has deported 72 Rwandans and 65 Congolese for illegal entry into the country.
They were arrested in a cordon-and-search operation at Bunagana border town in Kisoro District over the weekend.
However, police said 24 Rwandans and Congolese, who were part of the group and are alleged to be members of M23 Congolese rebel group, will be taken to court this week for prosecution on diverse charges including illegal entry, illegal stay and illegal mining.
Mr Hassan Ssekalema, the officer in charge of Kisoro Police Station, said they screened the detainees and deported 137 to their respective countries.
“For the 24 members of M23 rebel group, it will be court to determine whether to deport them or send them to jail. We are still continuing with the operations to weed out suspected criminals along the border. So far two guns have been recovered,” Mr Ssekalema said.
Since August, Uganda has increased operations targeting illegal immigrants and suspected criminals from Rwanda. The deportation and arrest of Rwandans and Congolese with links to the Kigali government has led to icy relations between the two neighbouring states.
Recently, the spokesman of the Uganda’s Ministry of Defence, Brig Richard Karemire confirmed to NTV Uganda that Rwanda had sent a diplomatic note to Uganda protesting the manner in which her citizens were being arrested and detained.
Two weeks ago, Ugandans blocked the Uganda-Rwanda Katuna border protesting the arrest of Justus Tweyongyeire, a local businessman in Kabale town, by Rwandan authorities on unclear charges.
