Uganda Banyarwanda Cultural Development Association (UMUBANO) Rejects Bavandimwe Identity and Calls for Legal Reforms to Safeguard Banyarwanda Identity

By John Kusolo

*

The Uganda Banyarwanda Development Cultural Association (UMUBANO) has issued a public statement rejecting the Bavandimwe identity, an identity being promoted by certain state agents and individuals, including Mr. Frank Gashumba. According to Owek. Simon Kaiyitana Chairman, UMUBANO Task Force and representative of Banyarwanda in Buganda Lukiiko, the association firmly asserts its stance to maintain the identity of "Banyarwanda" rather than adopting Bavandimwe, which they view as a misrepresentation of their cultural and historical identity.

"We Are Banyarwanda, Not Bavandimwe"

UMUBANO's statement declares, “We are Banyarwanda, not Bavandimwe. We shall never change our identity,” expressing their intent to safeguard the integrity of their cultural roots and ethnic identity. The association has also appealed to President Yoweri Museveni, urging him to engage with their community and understand their concerns as Ugandans of Banyarwanda heritage.

*Efforts for Broader Cultural Engagement and Legal Reforms*

To strengthen their position, UMUBANO has initiated consultations with traditional and cultural leaders across Uganda’s major kingdoms and cultural institutions, including Buganda, Tooro, Bunyoro, Busoga, and other communities. These consultations are part of a campaign to gather support for a proposed law, titled "The Banyarwanda and Other Roving Communities, Citizenship, Identification, and Management Bill, 2024." This bill seeks to ensure the rights of Banyarwanda to citizenship, identification, certification, and equal treatment within Ugandan society.

The group plans to meet with representatives from various international stakeholders, including the European Union, the British High Commission, the United Nations, and the United States Embassy, to garner external support and raise awareness of their concerns.

*Nationwide Consultations and Public Hearing*

UMUBANO has announced that consultations will continue until December 1, 2024, when they plan to hold a public hearing at Kololo Independence Grounds. By that date, they aim to have engaged Banyarwanda communities from all regions of Uganda, including Buganda, Western Uganda, Eastern, and Northern Uganda.

The association estimates that over six million Kinyarwanda-speaking people in Uganda face statelessness due to a constitutional provision that, according to UMUBANO, fails to fully recognize their citizenship rights. They specifically call for the amendment of Article 10(a) of the Ugandan Constitution, aiming to replace the 1926 citizenship recognition with a more inclusive provision from 1962.

*Key Proposals by UMUBANO*

UMUBANO has proposed several legal reforms as part of their advocacy for the Banyarwanda community. These proposals include:

Amendment of Article 10(a): This change would update citizenship recognition to reflect provisions from 1962, replacing the outdated provision of 1926.

*Introduction of Jus Soli Principle:*

UMUBANO advocates for adopting the “jus soli” (right of the soil) principle, where all individuals born in Uganda would be eligible for citizenship. They support maintaining the "jus sanguinis" (right of blood) principle already in Ugandan law, which allows citizenship by descent.

*Enhanced Access to Citizenship Rights:*

The association seeks streamlined access to citizenship documentation for all ethnic groups, particularly for those from “borderline” or “roving” communities.

Amendments to Immigration Law: They suggest updating immigration laws to ensure equitable treatment for individuals of diverse backgrounds who have historically been marginalized or whose citizenship status remains ambiguous.

The Uganda Banyarwanda Development Cultural Association (UMUBANO) is at the forefront of a significant cultural and legal movement in Uganda, striving for recognition, identity preservation, and citizenship rights for the Banyarwanda community. As they mobilize for legislative changes and advocate for broader cultural acceptance, UMUBANO's actions highlight the ongoing challenges faced by Uganda’s ethnic minorities and the importance of inclusive citizenship policies in a multicultural society.

UMUBANO's movement represents an assertion of cultural identity and rights, potentially setting a precedent for other communities with similar experiences in Uganda. As the December 1 public hearing approaches, the association's engagement with both local and international stakeholders could influence the future landscape of citizenship, identity, and cultural rights in Uganda.