Museveni to Issue Executive Order Against Discrimination of Ugandan Banyarwanda

11th Jan 2025

Joy and excitement swept through the Ugandan Banyarwanda community after news emerged that President Yoweri Museveni is set to issue an Executive Order aimed at addressing the rampant discrimination they face.

The announcement was made during a press conference held at Speke Hotel in Kampala on Saturday, January 11, 2025, by Frank Gashumba, Chairman of the Council for Abavandimwe, alongside members of his executive committee. Gashumba detailed the series of engagements his team has had with various stakeholders, including Parliament and the President, to highlight the plight of Ugandans of Banyarwanda origin. He revealed that the issues raised during these discussions will be incorporated into the forthcoming Executive Order.

The press conference was attended by several members of the Banyarwanda community, many of whom shared harrowing experiences of discrimination at the hands of the Immigration Office and the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA). These bodies have denied them passports, national identity cards, and in some cases, confiscated their documents.

Hundreds of Banyarwanda Ugandans who gathered st Speke Hotel for the press Conference

One of the attendees, Kabagambe Kenneth, a Makerere University student and actor, recounted how he has missed an opportunity to perform in Hollywood in the United States of America due to being denied a passport despite providing evidence of his Ugandan citizenship. Similarly, Kabuga Jake shared his heartbreaking ordeal of being unable to travel to the United States to approve a life-saving operation for his son. “My son is admitted to a hospital in the United States. The hospital requires my signature before they can proceed with the operation, but I have failed to secure a passport, and his life is in danger,” he said, fighting back tears.

Frank Gashumba addressing Banyarwanda at the meeting.

However Gashumba assured the Banyarwanda that such injustices would soon end, as President Museveni has committed to issuing the Executive Order to address these issues.

During the meeting, Gashumba and other members urged unity among the Banyarwanda, emphasizing that collective effort is crucial for achieving their goals. Banyarwanda criticized associations like Umubano, accusing them of failing to deliver tangible results for the community while attacking the Council for Abavandimwe, which is actively championing the cause of Banyarwanda Ugandans. Gashumba called for all groups to set aside their differences and work together for the betterment of the Banyarwanda Ugandans.

The 1995 Constitution of Uganda recognizes Banyarwanda as an indigenous tribe that existed in Uganda before 1926. Similarly, the 1962 Constitution also acknowledged the Banyarwanda. However, reports indicate that some immigration officials continue to deny them passports, even when applicants provide national identity cards and letters of approval from local leaders and relevant authorities, including LC1 to LC5, RDCs, and GISOs.

The anticipated Executive Order is expected to address these injustices and put an end to the discrimination against Ugandans of Banyarwanda origin once and for all.

Dr Muganga and Frank Gashumba at the meeting

Notable among the people who attended the meeting induced Dr Lawrence Muganga, the Vice Chancellor of Victoria University who is also the Vice Chairman Council for Abavandimwe, Ngarambe Sylus who is the Deputy RDC Ntoroko District and an Executive Member of the Council among others