By Frank Kamuntu
The Prime Minister, Rt. Hon Robinah Nabbanja has assured Ugandans that the government is working around the clock to address the plight of Abavandimwe, a community of Ugandans of Rwandese origin.
Nabbanja said that the Abavandimwe who petitioned Parliament in April 2024 decrying discrimination and violation of their citizenship rights have met with President Yoweri Museveni who promised to address their concerns.
“The President met this group on 23 October and briefed the Cabinet on 28 October 2024. The relevant ministry is taking action and we are doing a lot to make sure this is solved,” said Nabbanja.
Nabbanja was responding to the report of the Committee on Defence and Veteran Affairs on the petition by the Council of Abavandimwe on Thursday, 28 November 2024 during the House sitting chaired by Speaker, Anita Among.
The Council of Abavandimwe in their petition argued that the National Identification Registration Authority (NIRA) and the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control (DICIC) confiscated their national identity cards (IDs) and passports and declined those who applied for the same.
They sought Parliament’s intervention saying lack of IDs and passports has significantly affected their livelihood as they cannot transact in banks, and that those whose passports expired while working or studying abroad were forced to abandon their jobs and studies.
However, the findings of the Committee on Defence and Veteran Affairs presented by the Chairperson, Hon. Wilson Kajwengye established illegalities on the side of the petitioners.
“A total of 4,554 applicants were red-flagged for having fraudulently acquired IDs pending NIRA cross-examination. 4,357 persons have received notice to cancel their registration due to inaccurate information or fraudulent registration,” said Kajwengye in a report that has since been sent into the trash by the Abavandimwe asserting that it was built on falsehoods to shield their oppression in Uganda.
The Abavandimwe led by their council chairman, Frank M.Gashumba say that the report completely disregarded the testimonies of the victims, and the concerns raised by members of Parliament, and failed to suggest any meaningful actions to rectify the situation. Instead, they argued, it effectively cleared Immigration and NIRA of any wrongdoing and served to cover up the abuses that the Banyarwanda community has endured.
“This report is shameless and unacceptable,” Gashumba stated. “It ignored the long-standing suffering of the Banyarwanda people, disregarded our voices, and sought to protect those responsible for our oppression. We reject it entirely and condemn it for what it is—a whitewashing of our tormentors.”
Gashumba says they will not relent in their fight for justice and equality. “We will continue to fight for our rights until we are treated fairly, just like all other tribes in Uganda. We vow to stand firm until the day comes when we are no longer discriminated against and our citizenship rights are fully recognized and respected.”
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