President Yoweri Museveni has told immigration and local-government officials to stop blocking long-time residents of Rwandan descent from obtaining national identity cards and passports, saying they are “fully Ugandan” under the Constitution.
Speaking at State House Entebbe on 25 June, the President said anyone whose family lived in Uganda before 1926 -– or who can be verified by village, sub-county and district leaders –- is entitled to citizenship by birth or naturalisation. “These people have been here for generations. Do not harass them or deny them services,” he said.
New directives
Museveni invoked his executive powers to issue immediate guidelines:
- Local proof is enough. Letters from the LC I, LC III, GISO and RDC must be accepted as evidence of citizenship.
- Birth in Uganda counts. A person born on Ugandan soil cannot be rejected without “compelling contrary proof”.
- Community testimony applies. Where papers are missing, sworn statements by relatives and elders should be used.
- Immigration must refer disputes to NIRA. Officers may not make “arbitrary” decisions at border posts or passport desks.
“Uganda is not America; we rely on community knowledge, not graveyard records,” the President said, warning that officers who ignore the order will face sanctions.
One passport, one allegiance
While reaffirming inclusive laws, Museveni ruled out dual Uganda-Rwanda nationality for the group commonly called Abavandimwe. “Decide. You cannot be both,” he told delegates, noting that he himself is Bahororo by heritage but Ugandan by law.
Community welcomes pledge
Frank Gashumba, chair of the Abavandimwe Council, said many Banyarwanda families suffer delays or rejections when they apply for travel documents. “A passport is more than a booklet; it is access to opportunity. We thank the President for ending this discrimination,” he told the meeting.
Next steps
The President proposed a joint committee of Internal Affairs, NIRA and community leaders to vet doubtful cases quickly while protecting genuine citizens. Internal-Affairs State Minister Gen. David Muhoozi and NIRA executive director Rosemary Kisembo pledged to implement the orders immediately.
