Gashumba, other Bavandimwe smile as President Museveni signs executive order protecting their citizenship rights

President Yoweri Museveni has issued an Executive Order aimed at safeguarding the citizenship rights of Bavandimwe, addressing long-standing concerns about the treatment of certain communities when applying for identification and travel documents. The Executive Order, signed on January 24, 2025, emphasizes the proper administration of citizenship laws as stipulated in the 1995 Constitution.

Mr. Frank Gashumba, Chairman of the Council for Bavandimwe, played a crucial role in advocating for this directive. As a prominent leader of the Banyarwanda community in Uganda, Mr. Gashumba has been at the forefront of addressing issues of discrimination and human rights violations against Ugandans of Banyarwanda descent. His tireless efforts brought the grievances of his community to the attention of the President, ultimately contributing to the issuance of this order.

President Museveni acknowledged that numerous complaints had been brought to his attention, particularly from Ugandans of Banyarwanda descent, who reported being denied passports and national identity cards despite their legitimate citizenship. Many of these complaints were raised through Mr. Gashumba’s advocacy, which highlighted the administrative hurdles faced by the community.

The President clarified that citizenship rights are well-defined under Chapter 3 of the 1995 Constitution, which recognizes three types of citizenship: by birth, registration, and naturalization. “Clearly, the issue is not the law or any gaps in it but how the law is administered with regard to proof of citizenship by applicants for passports or other documents of identity,” President Museveni stated.

The President outlined several directives to ensure that all Ugandan citizens, regardless of tribe or background, are treated fairly when applying for documents of identification. These include:

Right to Passports and Travel Documents: Every Ugandan citizen has the right to a passport or travel document and the freedom to enter, leave, and return to Uganda.
Simplified Proof of Citizenship: Applicants need only provide their National Identification Number (NIN) and meet any other prescribed requirements, as per the Citizenship and Immigration Control Act.
Presumption of Citizenship: Immigration officials must presume citizenship unless there is reliable evidence to the contrary.
Dignified Administrative Processes: Administrative procedures must uphold the dignity of all applicants and avoid imposing requirements not provided for by law.

President Museveni also directed that the Minister of Internal Affairs and the Attorney General address the legal anomaly that does not automatically accord citizenship to children of citizens by birth and naturalization.

Mr. Gashumba praised the Executive Order as a landmark decision for the Banyarwanda community and other marginalized groups. He noted that the Council for Bavandimwe had worked tirelessly to document and present these grievances to the highest levels of government.

“This is a victory for justice and equality. The President’s intervention reflects his commitment to ensuring that all Ugandans, regardless of their ethnic background, enjoy their constitutional rights,” Gashumba remarked.

He urged members of the Banyarwanda community and other Ugandans facing similar challenges to take advantage of the new directives and apply for their identification documents with confidence.

President Museveni further instructed the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control to avoid confiscating or canceling National Identity cards issued by the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) without following due legal process. This directive ensures that administrative errors do not result in the infringement of fundamental rights.

The Executive Order marks a significant step toward upholding citizenship rights and eliminating discriminatory practices in Uganda. With the active involvement of leaders like Mr. Frank Gashumba, the Council for Bavandimwe has successfully advocated for justice and equality, ensuring that every Ugandan can exercise their full constitutional rights.

The President’s directive is expected to restore confidence in the administrative processes and reinforce the principle that “a citizen produces a citizen,” leaving no room for doubt or discrimination.