By Benjamin Mwibo

-Human Rights Activist, Frank Gashumba has stepped up pressure on the government of Uganda to quickly consider and recognize all other ethnic groups of people who especially deserve a right to citizenship but have been undermined by the constitutional laws.

Gashumba, has now considered taking matters to constitutional court, indicating on Thursday that a high degree of discrimination to some ethnic groups such as the Banyarwanda who live in Uganda has over and over been a threat and a challenge that blocks the majority from accessing public services because they are not recognized as citizens.

During a media engagement in kampala between Equal Opportunities Commission and the head of these ethnic groups, Gashumba added that it is high time for all other ethnic groups to come up and demand for their rights, “ the parliament of Uganda considers over 102 member who are Bavandimwe, but they are all silent and not talking about it because of being in comfort zones, therefore being represented by many in parliament does not mean your issues shall be solved” he said.

He added that they have gone through almost all offices right from the president, the speaker of parliament, the IGG’s office and the Uganda Human Rights Commission, but all have described it as a minor issue and that is why they are proceeding to court.

According to Gashumba “Our people are being discriminated against by officials from NIRA and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, yet the constitution of Uganda is clear that one can only be a Ugandan if he or she belongs to one of the 63 ethnic groups, which also considers the Banyarwanda.”

He however added, when the Banyarwanda go to apply for passports or national ID, the government officials from there don’t consider the concept of ethnic groups but task these Banyarwanda to present documents of “1926” to show that their parents lived in Uganda by then, yet no single person can prove that in Uganda apart from the Royals of different kingdoms.

The constitution of Uganda recognizes a number of different groupings of people like young people, disabled people, women and also recognizes the minority ethnic people. The commission has established that these people are denied education, health, infrastructure and social services like access to national ID’s , the chairperson Equal Opportunities Commission, Hon. Sofia Nalule Juuko mentioned.

When these people are denied access to national ID’s, they can not open up bank accounts, can not participate in economic empowerment programs and also can not get passports, this is why the commission also calls upon the government to let these people be recognized by the national constitution as the starting point for everything, she noted.

Who is Frank Gashumba?

Frank Gashumba was born on 3rd December in 1974 in Uganda, Masaks city , in Villa Maria village. He is a Ugandan of Rwandan origin and a father of two daughters.

He attended both his primary and secondary in Masaka city at St. Francis primary school and Agha khan secondary school respectively, and later moved to Nkumba University where he obtained his degree in Business administration.

Gashumba is the founder of National Action for Awakening Uganda, “a non-profit civil society organization that focuses on changing the mindset of a local Ugandan citizen through economic, human rights, education, capacity building and economic empowerment programs.”

Who are the ABAVANDIMWE?

Abavandimwe, are people born from Ubuvandimwe or ubuntu a bond among brethren, started as a movement in May 2021 and reportedly majority of Banyarwanda born in Uganda joined the group.

Gashumba says there are more than 11 million Banyarwanda living in Uganda and 7 million have so far subscribed and proudly call themselves Bavandimwe.