Five members of a family were yesterday arrested while attempting to illegally cross the border into neighbouring Tanzania. The incidence happened at Nyagatare district involving three children and their father and mother.
The suspects are held at Rwimiyaga Police Station.
Didas Gakwandi, Gotheni Kankindi with their children Fred Nsengiyumva, Penzi Kemirembe and Katurebe did not posses any travelling documents and were seized while attempting to cross through an illegal route known as Karushuga.
According to Police sources, the family will be held as Police investigates whether they weren’t fleeing from justice.
Police is using the brief detention to advise them to refrain from illegal border crossing and seek legitimate travel documents.
According to Gakwandi, the family was leaving the country to seek greener pastures and join relatives in Tanzania. He claimed that getting travel documents was expensive.
District Police Commander, Superintendant Edward Kayitare said that illegal border crossing is common to people crossing over to Uganda but was rare for people to cross to Tanzania.
“We are sensitizing people mostly through community gatherings to bring awareness about the dangers involved in crossing borders illegally and mobilize them to seek travel documents”, said SUPT Edward Kayitare.
Police Spokesperson, Superintendant Theos Badege said that the methods and routes used in illegal border crossing are dangerous and risky.
“The process of acquiring travel documents has become much easier and shouldn’t be used as an excuse to travel illegally,” Badege said.
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