For months now, a diplomatic feud between Rwanda and Uganda that stopped most cross-border movements between the two countries has continued to escalate after Rwandan authorities also blocked pilgrims to attend Martyrs day fete in Kampala.
Since this border feud escalated, business, social ties and politics have been negatively impacted as political tensions between Uganda and Rwanda continue to paralyse.
Business people with financial interests in both countries have had to give up waiting and those with relatives on either side of the boarder have in the past five months had to cancel their functions.
According to reports, different groups who were trekking to Namugongo from various parts of Rwanda were barred from crossing to Uganda by Rwandan army stationed at the border post, a situation that has had a huge effect on daily life for families in both countries.
According to a foreign list of all foreign pilgrims, there is no single Rwandan at Namugongo Martyrs day celebrations.
Tanzania, Kenya has 330 and 300 pilgrims respectively while 110 from Malawi, 63 from South Africa, 7 from Japan and 40 from Nigeria checked in for the annual fete.
A warning by Rwanda‘s government to its citizens not to travel to Uganda has meant no business for the traders and no rights for Rwandan believers to join in as the world remembers the Uganda Martyrs who were executed between 31 January 1885 and 27 January 1887 by Kabaka Mwanga II for their faith in Jesus Christ. They included 23 Anglican and 22 Catholics.
Every year, At least 20 pilgrims from the Anglican Church of Rwanda join millions of other pilgrims at Namugongo to commemorate the Uganda Martyrs Day.
Statistics from the Uganda Tourism Board revealed that Uganda received 300 Rwandan pilgrims in 2014.
At least 20 pilgrims in 2015 and 600 pilgrims from Rwanda in 2016 ahead of the annual Martyrs Day Celebrations in Namugongo, in each of those years.
Last week, Ugandan Security arrested two Rwandan nationals in Kabale district alleging that these were on a spying mission in Uganda.
The arrest came moments after two people; a Rwandan and Ugandan national were shot dead at the border by Rwandan security. The incident intensified political tensions as both countries blamed each other over the incident.
