Banyarwanda Community in Uganda Forms a Committee to Establish and Protect their Rights from National to Village level
The Community of Kinyarwanda speaking people have in addition to demanding rights of citizenship in Uganda, formed a committee to ensure and add pressure to government, seeking for amendments in the constitution of Uganda specifically article 10
Besides a selection of the new committee, the key objectives of the meeting have been to amend the Ugandan constitution to recognize the rights of the Banyarwanda people. Launch a rigorous campaign to educate the Banyarwanda people on their rights and the need for constitutional amendment and also to establish a networking capacity among the Banyarwanda people to facilitate information sharing and unity.
Hon. Dr. Fred Mukasa Mbidde, a lead advocate of the campaign said that their gathering also discusses the establishment of a new national regulatory committee in Uganda, headed by the Umbrella of UMUBANO, to protect human rights at the village level.
He described that the initiative aims to foster unity and address issues through a rigorous campaign based on the Ugandan constitution and international human rights declarations. The committee has transformed from separate entities into a cohesive community, gaining consciousness through outreach programs and they now understand the need for legal amendments to address their problems. The goal is for all Ugandans, including those previously marginalized, to enjoy the same rights as others, such as owning land and having equal opportunities.
Mbidde, hopes that in a decade time frame, these people are going to be Ugandans. They will simply be Ugandans like other Ugandans and will be free to own land like other Ugandans, free to have to have children and even graduate them like other people. All that they are asking for is not a privilege, It is a recognition of their rights because it is there, it has been created but violated by the people in authority, he noted.
Kaitana Simon, the newly elected chairman of Banyarwanda, described how they have moved almost all parts of Uganda, central, Western Uganda, Eastern Uganda and part of Northern Uganda, trying to sensitize their people about the amendments which have been used by the authority at immigration and NIRA wrongly.
“About the passports and national ID’s, it is so important to acquire them as citizens, however, the emphasis is now on the role of community leaders in educating members on immigration policies and the need for compliance. The Banyarwanda community has been actively engaging with other groups and has received a report from the Uganda Human Rights Commission. “
Mr. Kaitana also expressed optimism about the community's future, highlighting the importance of mobilization and leadership to ensure the community's progress and civilization.
