The Bavandimwe community, under the leadership of their Council Chairman Mr. Frank Gashumba, has officially pledged its commitment to rally behind President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in the forthcoming 2026 general elections.
During a press conference held on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, at Serena Hotel in Kampala, Gashumba, accompanied by hundreds of members of the Bavandimwe, revealed that the entire community had reached a unanimous decision to throw its weight behind President Museveni as a gesture of gratitude and recognition for his efforts in safeguarding their rights.
At the heart of their appreciation lies the President’s Executive Order No. 3, which directed the Ministry of Internal Affairs to end the discriminatory practice of denying indigenous communities, including the Bavandimwe, access to Ugandan passports.
“For a long time, our community faced deep-seated discrimination. Many of us were told we were Banyarwanda and not Ugandans. Yet we are indigenous Ugandans, with our roots firmly embedded in this country. When President Museveni heard our cry, he acted decisively. Today, the order has been implemented, and our dignity restored,” Gashumba told the press.
He emphasized that the community’s decision to back Museveni is not only an act of rewarding him for correcting historical injustices but also a recognition of his leadership and unmatched knowledge in governance.
“While campaigning for Gen. Muhoozi, we visited Kalangala Islands and met fishermen who shared a powerful slogan with us: ‘He who gives you, you should give back.’ President Museveni gave us back our dignity, our rights, and our recognition as Ugandans. We are now giving back to him with our full support in 2026,” Gashumba remarked.
He further stated that in his personal interactions and experiences, he has found President Museveni to be “the most knowledgeable person in this country” and the only leader with the wisdom, resilience, and vision to steer Uganda forward.
The Bavandimwe community also announced plans to immediately embark on a nationwide mobilization campaign to rally more Ugandans behind Museveni’s candidature. Starting next week, Gashumba and his team will traverse all regions of Uganda, engaging citizens and spreading their message of support, with the ultimate goal of ensuring President Museveni secures a massive victory in 2026.
The declaration by the Bavandimwe adds momentum to the ruling National Resistance Movement’s (NRM) mobilization efforts ahead of the elections, as Museveni seeks to extend his long-standing tenure at the helm of the country.
