The Ugandan-Banyarwanda community has taken significant steps to address ongoing issues of discrimination and infringement of human rights by submitting a formal complaint to the Parliament of Uganda.

The petition, presented on April 16, 2024, by Hon. Joseph Ssewungu (NUP, Kalungu West County), highlights the community’s struggles, particularly in obtaining Ugandan citizenship documents, despite being recognized as an indigenous tribe under the 1995 Constitution.

During the session chaired by Speaker Anita Among, Hon. Ssewungu articulated the community’s frustrations, detailing the significant repercussions of the state’s oversight.

According to him, many Ugandan-Banyarwanda individuals have faced substantial barriers, including denial of employment opportunities, difficulties in studying abroad, and challenges in border crossings due to issues with passport renewals and obtaining national identity cards.

“These barriers have not only led to job losses but also missed educational opportunities, severely impacting the lives of many in the Ugandan-Banyarwanda community,” said Hon. Ssewungu. He further mentioned the inability to open bank accounts, register companies, or secure telephone lines, further marginalizing this group.

The situation is exacerbated for those abroad, particularly in the Middle East and other regions, where expired passports have left them without assistance from Ugandan foreign missions or embassies, effectively stranding them without proof of nationality.

Hon. Ssewungu also pointed out that some individuals recommended for medical treatment abroad have been unable to travel due to these citizenship issues. Despite ongoing discussions with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the National Identity Registration Authority (NIRA), the community has seen little to no positive developments.

In response to these pressing concerns, the petitioners have called for a thorough investigation by a parliamentary committee into the discrimination and rights infringements they face. They urge Parliament to enforce the issuance of national identity cards and passports by NIRA and the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ Immigration Department in line with constitutional recognition.

Speaker Among directed the Committee on Internal Affairs to handle the petition and report back within 45 days, marking a crucial step towards potentially resolving the long-standing issues faced by the Ugandan-Banyarwanda community.