Masaka Banyarwanda Urge Museveni to Reconsider Cabinet Representation After Muganga Rejection

Members of the Banyarwanda community in Uganda's Greater Masaka region have urged President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to reconsider the issue of ministerial representation. This appeal follows Parliament's rejection of Dr. Lawrence Muganga's appointment as State Minister for Internal Affairs.

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The facts are clear. Dr. Muganga's appointment was rejected because of the issue of dual citizenship, which is provided for in the law. It should not be turned into a nationality debate.

The parliamentary vetting process saw Dr. Muganga, the Vice Chancellor of Victoria University, disqualified by the Appointments Committee. The rejection was based on grounds of dual citizenship, which is considered inconsistent with constitutional requirements for the ministerial position. This development has caused concern among the Banyarwanda community in Masaka and surrounding areas, who are advocating for continued government representation.

Community leaders have been keen to frame the matter strictly within constitutional boundaries, rejecting attempts to portray the rejection as an issue of nationality or ethnicity. "The facts are clear. Dr. Muganga's appointment was rejected because of the issue of dual citizenship, which is provided for in the law. It should not be turned into a nationality debate," community members stated. Ruth Komugisha, a leader within the Banyarwanda community in Greater Masaka, expressed disappointment but remained hopeful that qualified individuals from their community could still be appointed to public office.

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There are many Banyarwanda in Uganda who possess the qualifications and experience required to serve as ministers. We hope that our community will continue to be considered for such positions.

Community members highlighted the importance of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, noting that many Banyarwanda face challenges in accessing government services and obtaining essential identification documents. "We had hoped that having one of our own in the ministry would help address some of the challenges our people face, especially when it comes to acquiring important national documents," they added. Sam Mugenyi, another community member, cautioned against individuals exploiting the controversy for personal or political gain, urging the community not to fall into such traps.

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We had hoped that having one of our own in the ministry would help address some of the challenges our people face, especially when it comes to acquiring important national documents.