Frank Gashumba: Championing Citizenship Rights for Indigenous Banyarwanda in Uganda
Frank Gashumba, the co-founder of the Council for Abavandimwe, is a distinguished Ugandan social activist and vocal advocate for justice and equality, particularly for indigenous Banyarwanda. Over the past four years, Gashumba and his team have been at the forefront of a relentless fight against the systematic victimization and segregation faced by this community at the hands of certain reactionary elements within Uganda's National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) and the Directorate of Immigration.

Frank Gashumba, the co-founder of the Council for Abavandimwe, is a distinguished Ugandan social activist and vocal advocate for justice and equality, particularly for indigenous Banyarwanda. Over the past four years, Gashumba and his team have been at the forefront of a relentless fight against the systematic victimization and segregation faced by this community at the hands of certain reactionary elements within Uganda's National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) and the Directorate of Immigration.
With a firm belief in justice and the rule of law, Gashumba has dedicated his life to amplifying the voices of marginalized groups, bringing to light the challenges they face, and ensuring their rights are not only recognized but also upheld. His advocacy work through the Council for Abavandimwe has highlighted the plight of indigenous Banyarwanda, many of whom have faced arbitrary denial of passports and national identity cards, confiscation of IDs at border points without due process, refusal of passport renewals, and deactivation of national IDs. These injustices have left many economically crippled, unable to travel, secure employment, open bank accounts, or participate fully in Uganda's economy.
Under Gashumba's leadership, the Council for Abavandimwe launched an aggressive campaign against these injustices, lobbying key stakeholders to take action. The Council wrote to:
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
The Minister of Internal Affairs.
The Uganda Human Rights Commission.
The Inspector General of Government (IGG).
The Equal Opportunities Commission.
The Speaker of Parliament.
This activism also garnered the support of notable public figures, including Rt. Hon. Anita Among, Speaker of Parliament, journalist Andrew Mwenda, and Ambassador Adonia Ayebare, who lent their voices to the cause.
A Historic Victory
The tireless efforts of Frank Gashumba and the Council culminated in a pivotal moment in October 2024, when they were granted an audience with President Museveni. During this meeting, the President acknowledged the gravity of the issues facing indigenous Banyarwanda and committed to resolving them. On January 21, 2025, Gashumba and his team were invited to State House, where President Museveni unveiled highlights of a Presidential Executive Order designed to end these injustices.
The Executive Order includes the following key directives:
Restoration of Deactivated or Confiscated National IDs: All confiscated or deactivated IDs will be returned or reactivated.
Streamlined Passport Issuance: Individuals with a valid national ID, backed by local authorities, must be promptly issued passports.
Protection of Citizenship Rights for Children: A parent who is a Ugandan citizen automatically confers citizenship to their children.
Elimination of Illegal Requirements: Arbitrary demands, such as bringing grandparents for interviews or proving parental residence in Uganda by 1926, are abolished.
This landmark decision marks a turning point in the fight for citizenship rights for indigenous Banyarwanda, reaffirming their place as equal Ugandan citizens.
Frank Gashumba expressed profound gratitude to President Museveni for his intervention and the time he dedicated to addressing the issue. He also commended the Attorney General and Solicitor General for their legal advisory role in shaping the Executive Order.
To ensure widespread awareness and understanding of the order, the Council for Abavandimwe will hold a press conference on Friday, January 24, 2025, at Serena Hotel Gardens. This event will serve as a platform to sensitize the Banyarwanda community and the general public about the implications of the Executive Order and the way forward.
About Frank Gashumba
Frank Gashumba is a well-known Ugandan activist, entrepreneur, and media personality. Known for his fearless and outspoken nature, he has consistently used his platform to advocate for justice, equality, and social inclusion. As the co-founder of the Council for Abavandimwe, Gashumba has worked tirelessly to address issues of discrimination and victimization, ensuring that every Ugandan, regardless of ethnicity, enjoys their full citizenship rights.
His dedication to this cause is a testament to his belief in a Uganda where every citizen is treated with dignity and respect. Through his leadership, the Council for Abavandimwe has emerged as a beacon of hope for marginalized communities, inspiring others to stand up against injustice and fight for their rights.
Frank Gashumba's work is a reminder that activism, persistence, and dialogue can bring about meaningful change. The Banyarwanda community and Uganda as a whole owe him a debt of gratitude for his unwavering commitment to justice and equality.