Uncorroborated reports also indicate that some traders are escorted by police and other armed personnel to Beni in DRC. Last month, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni ordered the closure of all borders and the airports with exception of cargo trucks to contain the spread of COVID19.
Security officials in Kasese District have
denied accusations of aiding illegal trade to operate across the Uganda and
Democratic Republic of Congo-DRC border in violation of the nationwide lock
down because of the corona pandemic.
This stems from accusations spreading on social media implicating security
officials led by the Resident District Commissioner- RDC Lt. Joe Walusimbi for aiding illegal trade across Mpondwe border
post.
Uncorroborated reports also indicate that some traders are escorted
by police and other armed personnel to Beni in DRC.
Last month, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni
ordered the closure of all borders and the airports with the exception of cargo
trucks to contain the spread of COVID19.
However, Lt. Walusimbi says the
allegations are baseless and aimed at tarnishing the image of security
officials in the district. He says those being allowed to cross the border are
licensed traders.
Luganda//Cue in; “Kati nze sirina…
Cue out…kwenjagala abantu bategere.”//
He also denies claims that security officers are escorting traders across the border, saying this
violates the sovereignty of another state.
Luganda//Cue in; “Ate twina kuba…
Cue out…obulimba obwekika gwawagulu.”//
Walusmbi cautioned some media persons that have
engaged in fighting political battles at the expense of giving out the right
information.
Maj. George Jet, the Commanding Officer in
Charge of the 5th mountain Brigade in Rusese, says illegal traders
use the porous borders to cross to either side of the border.
He, however, says they have stepped up patrols along
the border to eliminate illegal entrants.
//Cue in: :The boarder is…
Cue out: …is to sensitise.”//
The Bwera Division Police Commander, Sadat Sabila also dismisses claims that security officers are escorting
businessmen across the border, saying they don’t have any reports to that
effect.
Spencer Birungi, an officer at the Immigration Office
in Mpondwe, says only those being cleared are traders with valid licenses
dealing in cargo.
DRC has 180 confirmed COVID19 cases and 16 registered
deaths, giving the country a nine per cent death rate—one of the highest in
Africa.
