PRESIDENT Paul Kagame of Rwanda has ordered an investigation into claims that Rwandan nationals are being tortured in Ugandan jails. A highly placed government source told Daily Monitor yesterday the move followed the freeing of a Rwandan national who was detained for two years and allegedly tortured on accusations of espionage by Kampala.

"He (Kagame) ordered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to verify reports of Rwandans detained in Uganda and take appropriate action...he also advised the Foreign Affairs Minister to liaise with the Ugandan Foreign Affairs Minister only after investigations," a Rwandan official who preferred anonymity said. Africa 2007

President Kagame’s Press Secretary Yolande Mokolo confirmed the probe but referred Daily Monitor to Rwanda’s Foreign Minister Charles Murigande who was unavailable.

This fresh case could spark off a bi-lateral impasse between Uganda and Rwanda which have over the last two year worked hard to improve relations.

Rwandan Ambassador Kamali Karegesa said yesterday that Rwanda is concerned about the alleged detention and torture of its national. "We have had several cases the latest being one of Acloe Kalinga who was arrested two years ago. He was detained, tortured and did not appear in any court," Mr Kamali said.

State Minister for Internal Affairs Matia Kasaija denied the claims but said; "Several Rwandans have been arrested trying to obtain Ugandan passports and we have worked closely with their embassy here and deported most of them."

Mr Kalinga was recently released from CPS in Kampala after being picked by Security operatives in Mbarara in June 2005. According to interviews Mr Kalinga has given, his captors who allegedly tortured him accused him of being a spy. He also said he was detained and tortured in several safe houses in Kampala, Makindye Military Barracks and CPS.

The Monitor