President Yoweri Museveni met with Uganda's Banyarwanda community at State House Entebbe on June 25. He promised to protect the rights of people with Rwandan ancestry who have lived in Uganda for many years. The president said local officials should treat these communities fairly and with respect. He stressed that people known by their neighbors for decades deserve full recognition as Ugandans. Museveni warned against harassment or denial of government services to these residents.
The president issued new rules for proving citizenship under his constitutional powers. Local leaders can verify citizenship through endorsement letters from village and district officials. People born in Uganda should receive documents without rejection unless strong evidence proves otherwise. Community testimony from relatives and elders can substitute for missing paperwork. Immigration officers must send citizenship disputes to the national registration authority instead of making their decisions.
Museveni emphasized that Uganda cannot accept dual citizenship between Rwanda and Uganda. He told community members they must choose one country for their loyalty. The president compared this to his heritage, explaining that he was born in Uganda despite having ethnic ties across multiple nations. He said people with roots in different countries must commit to one national identity.
Frank Gashumba leads the Abavandimwe Council and praised the president's statements. He asked for equal treatment of Banyarwanda people living in Uganda. Gashumba reported discrimination against community members seeking passports and national identity cards. Several government officials attended the meeting to discuss citizenship policies.
The president issued new rules for proving citizenship under his constitutional powers. Local leaders can verify citizenship through endorsement letters from village and district officials. People born in Uganda should receive documents without rejection unless strong evidence proves otherwise. Community testimony from relatives and elders can substitute for missing paperwork. Immigration officers must send citizenship disputes to the national registration authority instead of making their decisions.
Museveni emphasized that Uganda cannot accept dual citizenship between Rwanda and Uganda. He told community members they must choose one country for their loyalty. The president compared this to his heritage, explaining that he was born in Uganda despite having ethnic ties across multiple nations. He said people with roots in different countries must commit to one national identity.
Frank Gashumba leads the Abavandimwe Council and praised the president's statements. He asked for equal treatment of Banyarwanda people living in Uganda. Gashumba reported discrimination against community members seeking passports and national identity cards. Several government officials attended the meeting to discuss citizenship policies.
