Leaders Gain from Banyarwanda Votes but Deny Citizenship, Says Frank Gashumba

The Council for Abavandimwe, a representative body for the Banyarwanda community in Uganda, has increased its crusade for justice and equal rights. Frank Gashumba, the leader of the council, has appealed to the continued discrimination faced by the Banyarwanda, especially on citizenship and identification. This has made many stateless in their own country, despite the fact that they have participated in the development and politics of Uganda.

Citizenship Challenges: A Battle for Recognition

While the Constitution of Uganda categorizes Banyarwanda as one of the indigenous tribes, systemic injustices seem to undermine their citizenship rights. Gashumba recounts the stories of people who are denied national IDs because of their names or even because of the way they look. Names like Kalimera, Kalisa and Kabagambe would make immigration officials suspicious.

For instance, a young man born in Mukono to a Muganda mother and a Munyarwanda father was denied a national ID despite a plethora of evidence proving his citizenship. Officials advised him to “naturalise,” basically asking him to buy his citizenship in his own homeland.

Adding to the paradox, Banyarwanda individuals are allowed to vote during elections but are later labeled non-citizens. Gashumba decries this contradiction as both unjust and unconstitutional.

Historical and Systemic Roots of Discrimination

The problems in the Banyarwanda community started worsening around 2015. Gashumba recalls an incident where a wife of an elderly man was not allowed to travel because her national ID was impounded at the Gatuna border point. Incidents like these show how a name can make one stateless.

The challenges can be summarized under four major areas:

1. Confiscation of National IDs: These are taken away at border points, without any explanation, to leave victims stranded and without any means of accessing basic services.
2. Silent Deregistration: Names disappear from government databases without prior notice or explanations.
3. Forced Naturalisation: Those applying with Banyarwanda names are told to apply for Rwandan passports or naturalise in Uganda as a means of getting opportunities.
4. Stranded Citizens Abroad: Banyarwanda abroad have difficulties in renewing their passports, leaving them with no legal documentation.

Without national IDs, one is unable to open bank accounts, buy land, or even register SIM cards-let alone access education. It is this complete denial of rights that alienates the Banyarwanda from Ugandan society.

Advocacy and Limited Progress

The Council for Abavandimwe has tried to seek address for these injustices along several lines. They petitioned the Parliament, which largely didn’t take their submissions any further. A proposal was made to naturalise Banyarwanda; this was opposed by members of the community.

When engagements were made with both the Uganda Human Rights Commission and Equal Opportunities Commission, little progress was made. Indeed, the President, Yoweri Museveni, indicated his willingness, but little has come of it.

Root Causes: Selective Application of the Constitution

The Ugandan Constitution has outlined clear guidelines on citizenship. The 1962 Constitution bestowed citizenship on all those who were in Uganda on October 8, 1962, a provision carried forward by the 1995 Constitution. However, this law is enforced sporadically.

For example, when the Baganda apply for passports, they are asked for their clans. However, the Banyarwanda applicants are made to trace their roots from before 1926, which is impossible for most. According to Gashumba, this selective enforcement of immigration laws is what is causing the problem.

Proposed Solutions and Executive Promises

To resolve these, Gashumba wants the reinstatement of the local council verification processes and a stop to the confiscation of IDs and passports. The council remains optimistic after President Museveni promised an executive order to address the challenges faced by Banyarwanda. However, as time keeps ticking, patience is slowly wearing thin in the community.

Internal Conflicts and Rebranding for Unity

The struggle for justice has not gone without inner wars. For example, Gashumba censures those like Mukasa Mbidde, whom he believes are feathering their nests instead of advocating for the community, and still cites parallel organizing as one of the contentious issues dividing them, among them the Uganda Banyarwanda Cultural Development Association. He formed the Council for Abavandimwe to foster unity and grapple with solutions that were viable.

Rebranding has been a major step taken by the community. The name “Abavandimwe”-meaning brethren-was adopted to distinguish Ugandan Banyarwanda from Rwandans, hence giving them an identity. The name has been widely embraced, especially by the youth.

Challenges and the Way Forward

Despite these, resistance remains. Gashumba cites the reason to be vested interests and divided loyalty among some groups. Still, he is optimistic, with the new generation “in love” with this new identity and willing to fight for their rights.

Future Activities by the Council:

Establish structures that shall help the community.

Address injustices at legal and advocacy levels

Sensitize Ugandans about historical and cultural ties of Banyarwanda to Uganda.

Bridging Historical Misunderstandings

The Banyarwanda’s relationship with Uganda is an historically deep one. The colonial borders divided families between Uganda and Rwanda, leaving some households straddling the two nations. The community in Uganda consists of three main groups:

1. Indigenous Banyarwanda affected by colonial borders.
2. Economic migrants who settled permanently.
3. Refugees who fled Rwanda during political crises.

Gashumba says that it is important to sensitize Ugandans about these historical dynamics as a way of creating understanding and harmony.

A Struggle for Dignity

The Banyarwanda in Uganda have played a significant role in the country’s development. Gashumba asserts that their struggle is not about politics or money but about dignity and identity.

“Discriminating against us while benefiting from our votes in elections is unacceptable. Many leaders owe their positions to Banyarwanda voters, which contradicts claims of our non-citizenship,” he states.

The community is waiting for the promised executive order from the President, but it has not lost its determination. The Council for Abavandimwe continues to stand for justice, seeking a future where all Ugandans can live with dignity and equal rights regardless of their heritage.