Kampala, (UG):- The Banyarwanda Cultural Development Association (Umubano) has unveiled a comprehensive 10-point program aimed at fostering prosperity, unity, dignity, and active participation in governance in Uganda.
Mr Simon Kayitana, one of the leaders in the association Friday said they plan to collaborate with all cultural institutions in Uganda to drive justice for unrecognised Indigenous communities, many of whom are denied National Identity Cards and passports.
“We are going to work with all cultural institutions of Uganda, to drive for free for all un-recognised indigenous communities so as we get justice as many of our people are constantly denied National Identity Cards and passports,” Kayitana said.
The community has faced significant challenges, including marginalisation by the Ministry of Internal Affairs which has left some members afraid to identify themselves as Banyarwanda due to the “constitutional mess” since 1982.
“We are greatly marginalized to the extent some members fear to pronounce that they are Banyarwanda, many of them have changed their tribes because of the ‘constitutional mess’ since 1982, we are very determined to cause a change for the betterment of our communities, and the generation to come,” Kayitana added.
Mr Francis Kayitale, a 54-year-old transportation dealer, shared his personal experience of marginalisation. “I have spent all my time serving in the Catholic Church services in Uganda, both my father, grandparents were buried as Ugandans and buried here.”
He adds; “I felt so betrayed when my daughter was denied a National ID, she finished her S.4, and I don’t know what next. The reckless NIRA official told her that we no longer needed to belong to Uganda.”
Umubano’s National Legal Advisor, Fred Mukasa Mbidde, emphasised the need to amend Article 10 of the Uganda Constitution, which he described as poorly drafted.
“The document that was used to offer citizenship in Uganda as of British protected order persons 1934, British Nationality Act 1944- 49, Banyarwanda where total citizens of Uganda, when we started in 1962,1966 and 1967 constitution we still remained citizens, the problem is the 1995 constitution has no legal backing to denied us Ugandan citizenship,” Mbidde explained.
The 10-point program will be officially unveiled on January 26 in Mityana District, along with the swearing-in of new leaders. The program’s contents include among others:
- Continued Advocacy: Amendment of Article 10 of the Uganda Constitution
- Promoting Unity: Strengthening connections with diverse ethnic communities
- Diaspora Network: Building alliances with intergovernmental organizations
- Financial Uplift Program: Launching economic empowerment initiatives
- Cultural Exchange and Cooperation: Presenting the Umubano Executive to governmental and non-governmental organizations
- Solidarity Fund: Establishing a fund to support community development projects
- Economic Empowerment: Promoting economic growth and development within the Banyarwanda community.
Official figures from the Uganda Bureau of Statistics show that the Banyarwanda population increased to 629,672 in 2024 from 524,098 in 2014.
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