Museveni Signs Landmark Executive Order to End Segregation Against Indigenous Banyarwanda

Kampala, 24th Jan 2025

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has signed a long-awaited Executive Order aimed at ending years of discrimination and harassment faced by Uganda’s indigenous Banyarwanda at the hands of Immigration Officers and officials of the National Identification Registration Authority (NIRA).

The 11-point Executive Order, announced at Serena Hotel in Kampala, has been widely celebrated by the indigenous Banyarwanda across Uganda, marking a significant victory in their fight for equality and recognition. The announcement was made by Frank Gashumba, who was joined by leaders from the Council for Abavandimwe, Umubano, and Nhuti Ya Nshuti—organizations advocating for the rights of the indigenous Banyarwanda in Uganda. Shortly after the announcement, the order was also officially released by the President as he posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account.

The Executive Order directs that every Ugandan, regardless of ethnicity, has an inherent right to access passports and other travel documents, and the freedom to enter or leave Uganda at any time. Specifically, the Order mandates that all Ugandans undergo the same procedures when applying for National Identity Cards or passports. It bars government officials from imposing additional requirements or asking questions beyond what the law prescribes, a practice that has disproportionately targeted the Banyarwanda community.

President Museveni emphasized that citizenship by birth is a constitutional right and cannot be arbitrarily determined by immigration officials. He ordered that immigration officers cannot reject applications for identity documents without providing concrete evidence that an applicant is not Ugandan. Additionally, he underscored that the burden of proof lies with immigration officials, not the citizen.

The Order also prohibits the confiscation of identification documents without due process and guarantees affected individuals the right to a fair hearing. Furthermore, it simplifies the requirements for obtaining identity documents:

National Identity Cards: Applicants only need to provide a driving license, birth certificate, baptism card, or verification from a relative.

Passports: Applicants must present a National Identity Card and letters of introduction from local authorities, including the LC1 Chairperson, LC3 Chairperson, Gombolola Internal Security Officers (GISO), and the Resident District Commissioner (RDC).

The Executive Order comes in response to persistent public outcry from the indigenous Banyarwanda over systemic discrimination, including the denial and confiscation of passports and National Identity Cards, refusal to renew these documents upon expiry, and their deactivation by NIRA. The community has also faced harassment at border points and other government offices, leading to a sense of exclusion and marginalization.

President Museveni’s directive aims to restore dignity and equality to all Ugandans, ensuring that administrative processes are fair, transparent, and lawful. With this groundbreaking Order, indigenous Banyarwanda are expected to reclaim their rights and demand the return of confiscated identity documents.

The signing of this Executive Order is a major milestone in the fight against systemic discrimination. Hundreds of indigenous Banyarwanda whose identity documents were previously confiscated are now expected to approach immigration offices to reclaim their National Identity Cards and passports.

This decision signals a new chapter for the indigenous Banyarwanda in Uganda, affirming their rightful place as equal citizens and ensuring their full participation in national life without fear of harassment or discrimination.

The Executive Order in photos