Uganda has demanded a joint investigation into the murder of two Ugandan traders by Rwandan security forces on Sunday.

Government spokesperson, Ofwono Opondo, said in a statement released Tuesday that Uganda expressed serious concern following an unpleasant incident of murder of Ugandan nationals that occurred on Rwandan territory.

“The Government of Uganda protests in the strongest terms the murder of its nationals by Rwandan security personnel for allegedly being involved in smuggling of goods across the common border,” Opondo said in a statement released Tuesday evening.

Opondo said the alleged crime cannot justify the high handed and criminal act by the Rwandan security personnel against unarmed civilians residing along the common border.

He said the government demands that a joint investigation in the murders be conducted and the perpetrators held accountably.

Two Ugandans Job Byarushanga and Bosco Tuhirirwe were on Sunday shot dead by Rwandan security personnel from Tabagwe, along the Kamwezi border post on allegations of smuggling  goods across the borders.

On Tuesday, Amb Patrick Mugoya, permanent secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, delivered Uganda’s strong concerns to Rwanda’s High Commissioner, Amb Frank Mugambagye, in Kampala, demanding that perpetrators of the killings at the border be held responsible.

Bodies of the two Rwandans were handed over to Ugandan authorities on Tuesday.

Kigezi regional police spokesperson Elly Maate said that the re-examination of the bodies established that the two were executed at a close range using a gun most likely a pistol.

Rwanda National Police spokesperson Jean Bosco Kabera issued a statement on Sunday in which he neither showed remorse nor condoled with the bereaved, blaming the victims for being violent and smuggling goods.

Diplomatic fallout between the two countries saw Rwanda close its borders with Uganda in February last year and also issue travel-review to its nationals, who are screened thoroughly before they are allowed to travel to Uganda.

Opondo expressed concerns that the killings at the borders are opposed to the ongoing efforts to improve relations between the two countries.