In the article debunking claims that Rwandan armed forces crossed into Uganda just to take a sip of waragi due to its scarcity on the Rwandan border, Rwandan author in the NewTimes Magazine questioned the heavy deployment of UPDF’s Special Forces.
The author questioned why there is no mention of UPDF’s deployments along the border with Rwanda and how the Ugandan military has reinforced its Second Division under the Command of Brig Kayanja Muhanga, which has its headquarters in Mbarara District.
It is common knowledge in Rwandan media that the UPDF’s Second Division that has two brigades – 309 and 401 – has since November 2018 adjusted its deployments. He further claimed that these two brigades have moved deployments towards the border with Rwanda.
According to Rwandan intelligence it revealed that the 401 Brigade, which with its headquarters in Kabale under the command of Lt Col Ibrahim Mutabazi, has three battalions; 19 infantry battalion, 35 battalion and 33 battalion, all made deployments along the border with Rwanda.
For instance, the 19 infantry battalion, also headquartered in Kabale under the command of Lt Col Emmanuel Mukasa, deployed in areas such as Cyonyo, Rushaki, Kamuganguzi, Gafunzo and Butobere.
The 35 battalion, under the command of Lt Col Johnson Muhanguzi, has dispositions in Nyakabande, Nyarusiza, Kanombe hill, Ntamutindi hill and Bunagana, while the 33 Battalion commanded by Lt Col Tumwine with headquarters in Kisoro has deployed at Kisoro, Rwindi, Kanungu, Ishasha, and Rugano.
On the other hand, the 309 Brigade, commanded by Col Keith Katungyi and based in Kisoro, has two battalions; the 7 Battalion commanded by Maj. Geoffrey Nabimanya and 47 Battalion commanded by Maj. Jotham Kature.
These two battalions are deployed at Bunagana, Rukungiri, Kabingo and Kikagati.
All these deployments by the UPDF are along the border with Rwanda.
Rwandan intelligence revealed that it is an open secret that since November 2018, UPDF started deployment of heavily equipped forces at Kihumuro Hill in Kabale.
Kihumuro Hill is used as an Infantry Tactical Operations Base Camp and the number of soldiers here has grown up to 1,000. The entire force there is under the command of Maj. Joshua Annuarachi and it includes counterterrorism and CMI (Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence) operatives who conduct surveillance and gather intelligence along border.
Sources also indicate that an artillery platoon led by one Lt Judith is deployed on Kacwekano and Karujanga hills – overlooking Rwanda – with artillery capabilities (Katyusha rocket launchers, 11mm, 14.7mm and 12.7mm).
Other sources from Kisoro District revealed that continuous deployments of UPDF soldiers from the 35 battalion operating in Kisoro have been going on for the last few days.
Sources further intimated of the presence of an estimated 200 Special Forces at Butobere, at a place called Nyabitabo.