Gov’t reviewing Rwanda’ request to extradite 7 asylum seekers

KAMPALA: The Ministry of Disaster Preparedness and Refugees has said is reviewing a request made by Rwandan authorities to extradite seven asylum seekers but Police through which the demand was supposedly made have denied any of such an application from Kigali.

The junior minister for Refugees, Musa Ecweru, said last week, it’s true Rwanda made a formal request seeking extradition of 7 refugees.

He said: “We are in process of reviewing the request and i wrote to the Internal Affairs minister inquiring details of the persons in question and if they actually enjoy refugee status in Uganda or not.”

This newspaper reported January 15 that Interpol Rwanda had written to Uganda police to extradite seven Rwandan refugees.

Police deny

Police spokesperson, Judith Nabakooba, said was “not aware” and referred the matter to Interpol director Asan Kasingye.

Mr Kasigye on telephone maintained: “We have never received such a request and I don’t know about it.”

But Mr Ecweru, said “the review is to ensure we don’t repeat Mutabazi’ case and to ensure [if any] extradition lies within the context of International law.”

The Rwanda Police boss, Gen. Emmanuel Gasana, at a recent regional Police Workshop asked President Museveni whether it is possible to extradite people whom he said run away from prosecution and seek refuge in other countries on claim that they are political victims-and later defended by UNCHR and other NGOs.

UN concerned

 The UN refugee agency on weekend said it was baffled by Rwanda’ request to repatriate the refugees and urged government to ensure safety of Rwandan asylum seekers on Ugandan soil and not to breach again the principles international law--which protect refugees from being returned to places where their lives or could be endangered.

UNHCR spokesperson for the Great Lakes region, Kitty McKinsey, advised “Uganda to take such necessary measures to ensure the protection of refugees and asylum seekers on its territory and to respect the principles of International law of refugees.”

Neither UNHCR nor Rwanda did provide details of the asylum seekers in question.

Side bar

Late last year Rwandan President Paul Kagame’s ex-bodyguard, Lt Joel Mutabazi, long sought by Kigali but had taken refuge in the country was captured by Police, handed over to Rwandan authorities across the boarder and has since been charged for terrorism  in a Military tribunal.