According to several sources, many former and serving Ugandan soldiers of Rwandan origin participated in an invasion of Rwanda from Uganda in October 1990 (Africa Confidential 26 Oct. 1990, 4; Africa Research Bulletin 1-31 Oct. 1990, 9874; Agence France Presse 4 Aug. 1994; New African Dec. 1990, 9).

Africa Confidential, Africa Research Bulletin and New African reported that the invasion force was led by Major General Fred Rwigyema, a Rwandan, who had occupied a top position in the Ugandan defence ministry until November 1989 (ibid.; AC 12 Oct. 1990, 1; ARB 1-31 Oct. 1990, 9874).

In 1991 Agence France Presse (AFP) and Reuters reported Rwandan claims that Uganda was supporting the rebel army of the Rwandan Patriotic Front, which included former Ugandan soldiers, but no additional information was provided (AFP 20 Dec. 1991; Reuters 14 Feb. 1991; 24 Dec. 1991). This accusation by Rwanda was repeated in 1994, but no details of the alleged support was reported (ibid. 6 June 1994). Also in 1994, Xinhua reported that Ugandan soldiers loyal to former Ugandan president Idi Amin were involved in fighting in Rwanda (8 June 1994). For additional information, please consult the Xinhua attachment which could not be corroborated.

For additional information on the October 1990 invasion and its aftermath, as well as reports of Ugandan support of the Rwandan rebels who launched the attack, please consult the attachments, which are arranged in reverse chronological order for convenience.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Africa Confidential [London]. 26 October 1990. Vol. 31, No. 21. "Uganda: Straining at the Edges."

_____. 12 October 1990. Vol. 31, No. 20. "Rwanda/Uganda: A Violent Homecoming."

Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural Series [Oxford]. 1-31 October 1990. Vol. 27, No. 9. "Rwanda: Tutsi Invasion."

Agence France Presse (AFP). 4 August 1994. "UN Special Representative, UNAMIR Commander Arrive in Uganda." (NEXIS)

_____. 20 December 1991. "Heavy Fighting on Uganda-Rwanda Border: Report." (NEXIS)

New African [London]. December 1990. Alan Rake. "Rwanda Debacle: Museveni's Failed Gamble."

Reuters. 24 December 1991. BC Cycle. "Rwanda Rebels Claim Upper Hand in Renewed Fighting." (NEXIS)

_____. 14 February 1991. BC Cycle. "Rwandan Government Says Northern Town Quiet After Fighting." (NEXIS)

Xinhua General Overseas News Service. 8 June 1994. "Amin's Soldiers Concentrate in Zairean Border Area with Uganda." (NEXIS)

Africa Confidential [London]. 12 October 1990. Vol. 31, No. 20. "Rwanda/Uganda: A Violent Homecoming," pp. 1-2.

_____. 26 October 1990. Vol. 31, No. 21. "Uganda: Straining at the Edges," pp. 4-6.

Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural Series [Oxford]. 1-31 October 1990. Vol. 27, No. 9. "Rwanda: Tutsi Invasion," pp. 9874-78.

Africa Confidential [London]. 23 November 1990. Vol. 31, No. 23. "Uganda/Rwanda: Picking Up the Pieces," pp. 5-6.

Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural Series [Oxford]. 1-30 November 1990. Vol. 27, No. 10. "New Leader Named," p. 9915.

New African [London]. December 1990. Alan Rake. "Rwanda Debacle: Museveni's Failed Gamble," pp. 9-10.

_____. December 1990. Epajjar Ojulu. "New African Meets the Rwanda Rebels," p. 12.

Radio Uganda [Kampala, in English]. 15 January 1991. "Uganda Denies Rwandan Claim They Are Assisting Rebels in Attack Plan." (BBC Summary 17 Jan. 1991/NEXIS)

Xinhua General Overseas News Service. 15 January 1991. "Uganda Denies Assisting Rwandese Rebels." (NEXIS)

Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural Series [Oxford]. 1-28 February 1991. Vol. 28, No. 2. "Rwanda-Uganda: Invasion Feared," pp. 10003-4.

Radio Rwanda [Kigali, in French]. 6 March 1991. "Rwandan Radio Reports More Rebel Attacks; Lists Ugandan Areas of Concentration." (BBC Summary 7 Mar. 1991/NEXIS)

Africa Confidential [London]. 22 March 1991. Vol. 32, No. 6. "Uganda/Rwanda: No Room," pp. 6-7.

New African [London]. March 1991. François Misser. "Rwanda: The War Continues," p. 16.

_____. April 1991. Epajjar Ojulu. "Rwanda/Uganda: More War," p. 18.

Radio Rwanda [Kigali, in French]. 30 May 1991. "Rwandan Foreign Minister Tells OAU Ministers Uganda 'Encouraging' Rebels." (BBC Summary 1 June 1991/NEXIS)

_____. 24 July 1991. "Rwanda Captured Ugandan Officer Says NRA Supports Rebels." (BBC Summary 27 July 1991/NEXIS)

Reuters. 1 October 1991. PM Cycle. "Rwandan Embassy Says Ugandan Forces Poised to Attack." (NEXIS)

Agence France Presse (AFP). 20 November 1991. "Rwandese Troops Shell Ugandan Border Town, Killing Seven." (NEXIS)

Radio Rwanda [Kigali, in French]. 28 December 1991. "Rwandan Radio Says Rebels Now Joined by Ugandan Army in Mounting Attacks." (BBC Summary 31 Dec. 1991/NEXIS)

BBC Summary of World Broadcasts. 25 February 1993. "Rwanda; Forces Said to Have Seized Ugandan Army Lorry Transporting Rebels." (NEXIS)

Reuters. 1 March 1993. BC Cycle. Edmond Kizito. "Museveni Denies Ugandan Army Backs Rwanda Rebels." (NEXIS)

Xinhua General Overseas News Service. 8 June 1994. "Amin's Soldiers Concentrate in Zairean Border Area with Uganda." (NEXIS)

The Washington Times. 21 June 1994. Final Edition. Gus Constantine. "Uganda Leader Opposes Intervention in Rwanda." (NEXIS)