{{The Rwanda Defence Forces has dismissed media reports that its 283 soldiers are illegally being held incommunicado at Iwawa Vocational and Training Centre.}}
Brig. Gen. Joseph Nzabamwita, Defence and Military Spokesperson was quoted by a local newspaper:
“After deserting RDF and leading a life of hiding from authorities, they were arrested and spent some time in detention at Mulindi Military prison”.
He noted that RDF leadership opted to retrain them and consider whether some of them would go back to active service or be officially discharged.
According to the Defence and Military Spokesperson, the soldiers were arrested from different places around the country and that they all belonged to different battalions.
Brig. Gen.Nzabamwita noted that, “Facilities at Iwawa are a perfect institution where the RDF soldiers, alongside their compatriots undergo a similar programme, on top of military drills in particular that enhance military discipline.”
Iwawa Centre under the Ministry of Youth and ICT offers vocational and civic education for youth delinquents.
Nzabamwita rejected claims made in UK media, that alleged deserters were transferred there a year ago from a military prison to prevent a planned visit by the Red Cross.
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