Interahamwe deny claim of Ugandan support

Ex-Interahamwe militiamen have denied allegations that the government of Uganda has been assisting them, Interahamwe staff sergeant Antoine Rutakubagana Karungo told the semi-official Ugandan ‘New Vision’ newspaper on Tuesday. “We have never received or got any information that Uganda was rendering any assistance either in logistics or training or any other form,” Rutakubagana said. He was responding to a claim made by Winnie Byanyima, a member of the Ugandan parliament, who said Uganda was training the Rwandan rebels to attack Rwanda. “We read that in the newspapers but I can tell you we have never had any assistance of any form from Uganda,” Rutakubagana said. Rutakubagana and two other Interahamwe combatants reported to the Ugandan army, saying they wanted to denounce the rebellion and return home, the ‘New Vision’ said. “We were pushed into the bush against our will. We felt we would do better if we were guided to go back to our homeland and work for our country’s development,” said Theogene Niyibizi, another Interahamwe militiaman. Ugandan army Lieutenant Colonel Tumusiime Nyakaitana delivered the three to the Rwandan government at Katuna border town. “These people surrendered to us four days ago and asked us to help them go back home. You can use them to find out any useful information and then tell us,” Nyakaitana was reported as having told Rwandan officials. The Rwandan officials were reported to have said they were happy that Uganda was keen on finding a solution to their security problems, and gave assurances that the returnees would be relocated to a settlement.