By Andrew Irumba
The government of Rwanda has ordered the national football team not to travel to Uganda, where they were set to participate in the CECAFA challenge.
It is said that the Rwandan government claimed that their players are not safe in Uganda.
The CECAFA Cup (now the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup), is the oldest football tournament in Africa.
A FIFA competition, it includes participants of football playing national teams from the East African Region.
But Rwanda’s refusal to participate in CECAFA comes at a time when there are misunderstandings between Rwanda and Uganda.
Rwanda closed her borders to Uganda and barred all Rwandans from traveling to Uganda, claiming that they are not safe there.
Attempts to rectify the differences between both countries have since hit a dead end after Rwanda refused to implement the Luanda peace agreement.
A few days ago Rwandan military shot two Ugandans dead for allegedly smuggle goods into Rwanda.
According to Uganda Government Spokesman Ofwono Opondo, the incident occurred on Sunday, 10th November 2019, at about 05:00 hours, resulting in two Ugandans being shot dead by Rwandan security personnel from Tabagwe, along the Kamwezi border.
He named the deceased Ugandans as Job Byarushanga of Kiruhura Cell, Kamwezi Sub-County, Rukiga District and Bosco Tuhirirwe of Kabira Cell, Kamwezi Sub-County Rukiga District, who bodies have already been returned by the Rwandan Government.
Following the cold blood murder, Uganda sent a protest note to the government of Rwanda, protesting the continued killings of Ugandans by Rwandan military.
A protest note has been delivered to Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Uganda, Maj. Gen. Frank Mugambage, by Ambassador Patrick Mugoya, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Uganda
