RWANDA SACKING: I warned Amb Nduhungirehe, I’am worried for his life – Uganda’s Mateke

By Francis Otucu

Thursday night, Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame made changes to his cabinet.

Ambassador Olivier Nduhungirehe, the country’s Foreign Affairs Minister was dropped after two and hald years of service.

“Today, 09th April 2020. The President of the Republic has removed from office Amb. Olivier Nduhungirehe for consistently acting based on his personal opinions over government policies while serving as Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in charge of East African Community,” part of the statement signed by Premier, Dr. Edouard Ngirente read.

On the other hand, Ambassador Nduhungirehe welcomed his dropping.

“I am grateful to H.E @PaulKagame for the trust bestowed in me for the past two years and half when I was privileged to serve as Minister of State in @RwandaMFA in charge of the East African Community. I am committed to continuing serving my country & @RwandaGov in another capacity,” he said.

His sacking, however, received proper trolling on social media.

Philemon Mateke, Uganda’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in charge of Regional Corporation had this to say Friday morning.

“I warned him! The problem with these young people is that they never listen to the elders. They get a little power and it goes into their heads. I have been in politics for 55 years. My worry now though is for his safety. Next he will be accused of some sort of treasonous crime,” Mateke said.

In 2019, the fired minister was at the forefront of Rwanda-Uganda talks.

For instance, In July 2019, the minister said Rwanda and Uganda were not any close to coming to a conclusion regarding the border impasse.

“The situation is still the same. There is no significant progress made because Uganda is yet to act on the issues we raised. We have not seen anything different or new. Many Rwandans are still languishing in jail without trial, though we see some being dumped at the border. Support for terrorist groups has also not stopped. The likes of the Rwanda National Congress are still active in Uganda. Despite giving Uganda all the details, nothing has been done to address these two issues,” Nduhungirehe said.