Indigenous Banyarwanda Can Now Obtain Passports Without Harassment, Says Immigration

The Ministry of Internal Affairs has announced that indigenous Banyarwanda will no longer face obstacles in obtaining passports and National Identity Cards. This assurance was given during a joint press conference held on Monday, March 10, 2025, by the Uganda Police and Immigration departments. The announcement follows an Executive Order issued by the President, directing the ministry to ensure equal treatment of all Ugandans in the issuance of these essential documents.

Simon Mundeyi, spokesperson for the Ministry of Internal Affairs, highlighted that since the issuance of the Executive Order, efforts have been underway to implement its directives effectively. He urged individuals who previously encountered difficulties in obtaining passports or National Identity Cards to revisit the relevant offices for assistance. “I encourage all those who faced challenges in acquiring these documents to return, so we can address their concerns, especially in light of the President’s Executive Order,” Mundeyi stated.

The Executive Order came after sustained advocacy by the Council for Abavandimwe, led by Frank Gashumba, which highlighted discriminatory practices against indigenous Banyarwanda. These practices included the confiscation and deletion of passports and National Identity Cards from the system by officials from the Immigration and National Information Registration Authority.

Over a five-year campaign, the Council engaged with key government bodies, including the Ministry of Internal Affairs, under former Minister Gen Jeje Odongo, former Inspector General of Police Martin Okoth Ochola, and the late former Speaker of Parliament Jacob Oulanyah. They also brought their grievances before the Equal Opportunities Commission, Uganda Human Rights Commission, and the Parliament’s Defence and Internal Affairs Committee.

Despite these efforts, the issue remained unresolved until a meeting with the President resulted in the issuance of the Executive Order, outlining measures to address the discrimination faced by indigenous Banyarwanda in accessing identification documents. However, challenges persisted, with reports of continued segregation and requests for naturalization by Immigration officers.

President Museveni with Frank Gashumba after a meeting about Banyarwanda (file photo)

In response, the Ministry of Internal Affairs has pledged to ensure fair treatment for all indigenous Banyarwanda, emphasizing that corrective measures will be implemented to prevent further discrimination. The denial of passports and National Identity Cards has had severe consequences, including lost job opportunities, missed scholarships abroad, and, tragically, deaths due to the inability to seek medical treatment abroad without proper documentation. Many have also missed business opportunities, as they cannot open bank accounts or establish businesses without these essential documents.

This commitment from the Ministry aims to rectify past injustices and ensure that all Ugandans, regardless of ethnicity, can access their rightful citizenship documentation without discrimination or harassment.