By Spy Uganda
The Bavandimwe community — the proud indigenous Banyarwanda of Uganda — has risen in unison behind Council Chairman Frank Gashumba, declaring unwavering support for President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in the 2026 general elections. Their proclamation, delivered amidst thunderous applause and solemn prayers, was more than a political endorsement; it was a celebration of dignity restored and identity reclaimed, thanks to Museveni’s decisive action to end decades of discrimination.
At the heart of this renewed hope lies Executive Order No. 1 of 2025, signed by President Museveni on January 24. The decree dismantled the barriers of systemic exclusion that had long shackled the Banyarwanda, officially recognized in Uganda’s 1995 Constitution as tribe number 24. For years, they had endured the indignity of being branded foreigners in their own homeland. National IDs and passports were withheld, cutting them off from economic opportunities, banking services, and international travel.
“We were ghosts in our own country, our dreams tethered by bureaucracy,” Gashumba told the cheering crowd, his voice heavy with emotion. “But Museveni, with the wisdom of a sage and the courage of a lion, changed our story.”
The executive order directed the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) and the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control to issue identification documents without prejudice, affirming citizenship by birth as a fundamental right. To make the process fairer, Museveni further entrusted community leaders and elders with the task of verifying identities — replacing distant bureaucrats with those who truly know their people. He also struck down oppressive requirements such as tracing family lineage back to 1926, a rule that had unfairly targeted the Banyarwanda.
The results are already visible. Thousands have begun receiving their long-awaited national IDs, unlocking access to education, jobs, and global mobility. “Our youth can now dream without borders,” said Bukyana Justine, the Council’s publicity officer, her voice filled with optimism. Still, challenges persist: more than 8,000 passport applications remain pending. Museveni has since promised to create a dedicated desk to resolve the backlog, a pledge that has strengthened the community’s faith in his leadership. “We trust the President to finish what he started,” Gashumba affirmed.
For the Bavandimwe, their endorsement of Museveni transcends politics — it is a covenant of gratitude and loyalty. Quoting a Kalangala fishermen’s proverb, Gashumba reflected: “He who gives you, you give back.” In Museveni, they see not only a leader but a sage whose vision continues to shape Uganda’s destiny.
With a population of more than 11 million, the Bavandimwe have already launched a nationwide mobilization campaign — a unity caravan set to traverse Uganda’s hills and valleys beginning next week. From the mist-covered Rwenzori Mountains to the sunlit shores of Lake Victoria, they will rally citizens across the nation to stand behind Museveni, ensuring a resounding victory in 2026.
Their movement carries echoes of history. “Our ancestors fought beside Museveni during the NRA’s liberation struggle,” Gashumba reminded the gathering, invoking the sacrifices of Banyarwanda fighters in Uganda’s revolution. While some groups, such as Umubano, have voiced concerns that aspects of implementation may still exclude Banyarwanda in certain regions, the Bavandimwe remain steadfast. To them, Museveni’s actions represent a beacon of justice — a promise finally fulfilled to a people once silenced.
