Family's plea for help to free pregnant mother in Rwanda

TWO young brothers in Leeds whose mother is being held in Rwanda have written to the Prime Minister to get her home as it emerges she is pregnant.
By The Newsroom
Published 18th Mar 2017, 05:07 BST
Updated 24th Mar 2017, 09:46 BST

Youth worker Violette Uwamahoro, from Beeston, travelled to the country more than a month ago to bury her father but vanished on Valentine’s Day. Now, as she is charged with revealing state secrets and offences against the government, her husband is calling on the Foreign Office to intervene.

“She’s five months pregnant, and she’s innocent,” said Faustin Rukundo, who fears his wife is being forced to pay because of his role as a political activist. “She is suffering, and our child is. The British Government has to protect its citizens. They have to make sure that justice is delivered.”

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The couple’s two boys, David and Samuel Mushinja, eight and 10, have been receiving support from their school in Leeds, said Mr Rukundo, but they are tortured by what is happening.

“They promised that she could contact her children,” he said. “They have failed. The children are suffering. Their mother is in a traumatised state. They can’t speak to her. They want to know what they can do.”

The Foreign Office has confirmed it is in touch with local authorities, while the Rwandan High Commission has been unavailable for comment.