Dr Muganga Rejected Over Multiple Passports, Not Ethnicity – Kabanda
By Skika reporter
Kasambya County Member of Parliament and Secretary General of the Patriotic League of Uganda, Daudi Kabanda, has dismissed claims that Dr Lawrence Muganga was rejected by Parliament’s Appointments Committee because of his Rwandan heritage.
Kabanda said the committee’s decision was based on concerns regarding Dr Muganga’s citizenship status after investigations reportedly established that he held three passports from Uganda, Canada, and Rwanda.
Responding to allegations circulating on social media, Kabanda stated that ethnicity was not a factor in the committee’s decision.
“Mr. Muganga Lawrence was not rejected by the committee for being a Munyarwanda, a narrative I see some people so deceptively selling,” Kabanda posted on X.
He pointed out that several leaders of Rwandan ancestry have previously been approved for public office, citing State Minister for Water Aisha Ssekindi and State Minister for Local Government Dianah Mutasingwa as examples.
“Muganga was not approved after he denied holding a Rwandan passport, but the committee investigations confirmed he holds three passports: Ugandan, Canadian and Rwandan. Why was he denying it?” Kabanda said. “Therefore, the claim that he was rejected because of being a Munyarwanda is totally false, misleading and dangerous.”
The remarks come amid growing debate following Parliament’s rejection of Dr Muganga, who had been nominated for the position of Minister of Internal Affairs.
However, businessman and social commentator Frank Gashumba, a close associate of Dr Muganga and chairman of the Abavandimwe Council, has challenged the narrative. Gashumba maintains that Muganga had complied with legal requirements by renouncing his Canadian citizenship after concerns were raised during the vetting process.
According to Gashumba, the vetting process progressed without major issues until Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa allegedly questioned whether Muganga also possessed Rwandan citizenship.
Speaking to journalists after the vetting session, Dr Muganga acknowledged holding Ugandan and Canadian citizenship but denied allegations that he was a citizen of Rwanda.
Gashumba has further argued that Muganga was subjected to different standards compared to other government appointees.
The Appointments Committee has not publicly released a detailed report explaining its decision, although citizenship eligibility remains central to the controversy. As debate continues, differing accounts from key figures have fueled public discussion over the circumstances surrounding Dr Muganga’s rejection.
