Hope for Banyarwanda Rekindled As President Museveni Promises to Issue an Executive Order on Their Demands

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Blessed Cakes
Blessed Cakes

By Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa/Umoja Standard


Kampala- Uganda’s Banyarwanda community received a major boost on January 11, 2025, when Frank Gashumba, chairman of the Council for Abavandimwe, announced that President Yoweri Museveni had ordered government agencies to end discriminatory practices hindering Ugandan-born Banyarwanda from obtaining identification documents.

This landmark decision is seen as a direct response to years of unjust treatment. Gashumba revealed to gathering that President Museveni is set to pend own signature on an executive order addressing the community’s chronical outcry.

IMPORTANT TO NOTE

Prior to this, the Council for Abavandimwe (CFA) had petitioned the Human Rights Commission, Equal Opportunities Commission, Inspector General of Government, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Uganda Communications Commission, the Speaker of Parliament, the Leader of Opposition, Parliament and the President of Uganda.

The Prime Minister informed the CFA that the president tabled their concerns and the Council has reliable information that the president is in final stages of signing an executive order to that effect.

The Council for Abavandimwe notes that indigenous Banyarwanda do not need special favors and only demands to be treated like any other ethnic group.

The Council says, Banyarwanda still live as a family and have not faced discrimination amongst themselves but only face injustice at Ministry of Internal Affairs and National Identity Registration Authority (NIRA) Offices.

Gashumba was also dissatisfied with the Uganda Bureau of Statistics’ estimate of the Banyarwanda population, suggesting the true number is closer to 11 million, rather than the reported 600,000 in the 2024 National Housing and Population Census.

In a later time, the Council intends to push for comprehensive legislation protecting the rights and freedoms of the Banyarwanda people.

However, citing President Museveni’s consistent support, Gashumba appealed to Banyarwanda to rally behind him in the forthcoming 2026 General Elections.

In the same regard, Dr. Lawrence Muganga, Vice Chancellor of Victoria University, re-echoed Gashumba’s sentiments, thanking President Museveni for his timely intervention. He shared personal struggles with identification issues, highlighting the difficulties faced by his family in securing passports and national IDs.

A multitude of Banyarwanda gathered at Speke Hotel in Kampala, also shared similar hardship exprience, and the community expressed determination to push for equal treatment and full recognition as Ugandan citizens.

CFA has been engaging with government institutions, seeking justice for the Banyarwanda people. With the President’s directive, they view this as a crucial step forward in their fight for equality.

Blessed Cakes

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