The 17 000-strong East African Law Society has this week thrown its weight behind efforts to reduce growing antagonism between Rwanda and Uganda. Under its new president, Willy Rubeya, the society has offered to help with mediation, so that the border between the neighbours may be fully opened again and tensions eased.

As tensions between Rwanda and Uganda heighten, a major lawyers’ organization in the region has stepped forward to offer its help in defusing the situation. This week saw tension escalating further, with several border points between the two countries closed by Rwanda. Kigali has warned its citizens not to travel to Uganda on the grounds that Uganda has detained and deported people from Rwanda. All these allegations have however been denied by Uganda, though officials said that those Rwandans who were deported were involved in crimes that undermined national security.