Abavandimwe (Banyarwanda-Ugandans) Blame Tayebwa for Muganga’s Ministerial Rejection

By Skika Reporter

The Council of Abavandimwe  (Banyarwanda Ugandans), has accused Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa of influencing the rejection of Dr. Lawrence Muganga’s nomination as State Minister for Internal Affairs over disputed citizenship allegations.

Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Tuesday declined to approve Muganga’s appointment by President Yoweri Museveni, citing concerns over his citizenship status.

According to the committee, provisions of Uganda’s Citizenship and Immigration Control Act prohibit holders of dual citizenship from occupying certain public offices listed under the Fifth Schedule, including ministerial positions.

Speaking on behalf of the Abavandimwe Council, chairman Frank Gashumba said the organization had welcomed Muganga’s nomination as a significant achievement for indigenous Banyarwanda Ugandans.

“When Muganga was appointed to Cabinet, we saw it as a major victory for one of our own to serve at the highest levels of government,” Gashumba said.

He revealed that when concerns about Muganga’s citizenship emerged, the Victoria University vice chancellor took steps to comply with legal requirements by initiating the process of renouncing his Canadian citizenship.

“What I know is that he officially wrote to the Canadian Embassy renouncing his Canadian citizenship. He also informed the Citizenship and Immigration Control department at the Ministry of Internal Affairs,” Gashumba said.

Gashumba alleged that the vetting process had progressed smoothly until Tayebwa reportedly raised claims that Muganga possessed a third citizenship in Rwanda.

“The vetting went well, but at the last minute, the Deputy Speaker claimed that Muganga had three citizenships. He said he had a report confirming this, yet no other committee member had seen it,” Gashumba alleged.

He further claimed that efforts to access the report had been unsuccessful.

“We have asked to see that report, but no one has seen it except Thomas Tayebwa,” he said.

Gashumba suggested that the report may have originated from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which he accused of harboring individuals opposed to the Abavandimwe community.

Addressing journalists shortly after the vetting session, Muganga acknowledged holding Ugandan and Canadian citizenship but firmly denied allegations that he was a citizen of Rwanda.

“I am a Munyarwanda, and Banyarwanda are among the recognized tribes in Uganda. That is a simple fact. I am not Rwandan. Before I came here, I had two citizenships — Ugandan and Canadian,” Muganga said.

The Abavandimwe Council maintains that Muganga was subjected to unfair treatment compared to other public appointees.

As of Tuesday evening, the Appointments Committee had not released a detailed report explaining its decision beyond citing concerns related to citizenship requirements under Ugandan law.

The controversy has reignited debate over dual citizenship regulations and eligibility for public office, with supporters of Muganga calling for greater transparency regarding the evidence that informed the committee’s decision.