Published on 03/12/2023
In a recent meeting held at the Lugogo MTN Arena, the Ugandan Banyarwanda & Barundi community living in Uganda have embarked on a legal battle seeking to advocate for their rights and protection as an ethnic group. The meeting featured guest speaker Hon. Dr. Fred Mukasa Mbidde, the National Legal Adviser for the UMUBANO TASK FORCE of the Ugandan Banyarwanda.
During the meeting, Mukasa Mbidde emphasized the importance of discipline, unity, and resolve among the Banyarwanda community further calling upon them to reclaim their lost glory and demand their rights as community.
He re-echoed the need for Banyarwanda leaders to articulate their grievances before authorities, rather than relying on intermittent pleas for monetary and personal assistance from the president noting that such pleas often overlook the larger problems faced by the Banyarwanda and Barundi ethnic groups, leaving their concerns unaddressed.
The proposed bill includes provisions to recognize the Banyarwanda and Barundi ethnic groups as indigenous ethnic groups of Uganda, aligning with the relevant articles of the Constitution. It also affirms the citizenship of individuals from these groups, ensuring that they enjoy the same rights and privileges as other Ugandan citizens.
To oversee the implementation and enforcement of the Act, the bill establishes a Protection Authority and a Board. The Protection Authority will compile and maintain a comprehensive database on membership within the Banyarwanda and Barundi ethnic groups, while the Board will consist of representatives from immigration, security, elders and the respective communities.
The bill further outlines management and protection measures to safeguard the rights and dignity of the Banyarwanda and Barundi ethnic groups. It addresses issues such as discrimination, segregation and torture, while also focusing on equal opportunities and treatment regarding travel documents, national identity cards, and government bursaries.
Recognizing the importance of reparations and redress, the bill includes provisions to address past injustices or violations suffered by the Banyarwanda and Barundi ethnic groups. It ensures that affected individuals or communities have access to legal remedies and fair compensation.
The proposed bill also specifies mechanisms for implementation and enforcement, including penalties for non-compliance and includes transitional provisions to facilitate a smooth transition to the new framework.
The meeting concluded with a renewed sense of unity and determination among the Banyarwanda community to advocate for their rights and protect the interests of their ethnic group. The Lugogo meeting was attended by the Chairman of UMUBANO Ugandan Banyarwanda Donat Kananura and the Task Force Chairman Owek Simon Kayitana who stressed the importance of the Mbidde Bill as a permanent solution for the Banyarwanda issues
