Three enforcement personnel from Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), who were arrested in Busia, Kenya, have been handed over to Ugandan authorities.
The armed soldiers were reportedly pursuing a truck carrying suspected smuggled goods when they entered Kenya from Mbale district.
The soldiers crossed the porous border in Buteba sub-county and were surrounded by locals on the Kenyan side who attempted to beat them up. The Kenyan police from Adongosi intervened in time and rescued the soldiers.
Michael Kibwika, the Busia Resident District Commissioner, stated that despite being armed and provoked, the soldiers maintained discipline and did not harm the locals. Following the incident, Ugandan security officials held talks with their Kenyan counterparts, which resulted in the soldiers\’ release.
\”Our meeting yielded positive results, and our servicemen were unconditionally free to come back home and resume their duties,\” Kibwika said.
He cautioned armed personnel, particularly those who are not conversant with border guidelines, against entering Kenya while armed, noting that it violates international laws.
Many Ugandan security personnel, especially those from the Ugandan side in Busia, have made similar mistakes in the past, according to security officials.
