Earlier this year, the consultations were halted but after rigorous efforts and interventions, the group was finally given the green light by the Uganda Police Force.
In a letter addressed to Hon Dr Fred Mukasa Mbidde, the Association's National Legal Adviser, dated September 30, 2024, the Police agreed to UMUBANO's notification seeking permission and security request for consultative meetings on an ongoing constitutional amendment.
'The consultative meetings scheduled to take place at various regions of Uganda are hereby cleared. Coordinate with the respective Regional Police Commanders to provide security during the consultations. You are further advised to follow all necessary procedures for such gatherings,' reads the letter, signed by Okoshi Simon Peter on behalf of the Inspector General of Police.
The association has since rolled out a plan to have concluded the general public countrywide consultations by December 01, 2024.
In an interview with IGIHE, Simon Kayitana, the Chairman, UMUBANO Task Force and also member of Buganda Lukikko explained that the consultations will culminate with a major public hearing at Kololo Independence Grounds.
'By then we shall have engaged all Banyarwanda in Central Uganda (Buganda), Western, Eastern and Northern Uganda'' he said.
'We have also engaged several Uganda government officials including the Attorney General, the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Parliament, security agencies and the Immigration authorities,' he added.
Kayitana disclosed that Local Government authorities, the Uganda Human Rights Commission, the diplomatic community, media and the entire Civil Society have also been approached.
On December 01, 2023, the consultative possess was launched to sponsor and solicit public views on the proposed law. The Banyarwanda and Other Roving Communities, Identification and Management Bill, 2004 to identify, certify, manage, protect and dignify the Banyarwanda.
The bill seeks to reinstate the law that grounds and assimilates Banyarwanda legally into the Ugandan society as an indigenous ethnic group with equal rights as other Ugandans.
It will align with the relevant articles of the Constitution including provisions to address the past injustices on violations suffered by the Banyarwanda.
The association argues that although the 1995 Constitution recognizes Banyarwanda as an official tribe, hundreds of thousands of Bacyarwanda have been denied travel and citizenship documents hence incapacitating their livelihoods.
In addition, Banyarwanda are harassed and persecuted by different state agencies on several occasions.
The draft model of the proposed Bill for amendment of the Constitution will introduce an amendment of Art. (10) (a) to delete and replace 1926 with 1962.
It will Introduce "Jus soli" of citizenship by birth for all persons born in Uganda with management certification, identification, recognition and equal opportunities for both roving and borderline ethnic groups.
According to the plan, amendment of the immigration law "mutatis mutandis" is among the proposals and finally meeting the Head of State and for guidance and the proper procedure to take.
Banyarwanda is a group of Kinyarwanda Speaking people who were born and raised in Uganda, most of whom are descendants of people originating from neighboring communities across borders before the fragmentation and partition of Africa during the colonial times.
A 1948 National Census in Uganda placed Banyarwanda as the fourth largest tribe (7.9%) after Baganda (17%) Itesot (9.4%) and Banyankole (8.7%).
Geopolitically, the mistreatment of such groups of people in cross border countries for being referred to as Rwandans has on several occasions raised tense political tension to the level of suspending cross border relations.
In February 2019 escalating tensions between Rwanda and Uganda led to a deterioration of diplomatic relations, culminating in the closure of the Gatuna/Katuna border post. The closure caused significant disruptions to trade and movement between the two countries until when it was reopened in and January 2022.
Sam K Nkurunziza
