Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Commander of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces and son of President Yoweri Museveni, announced on X (formerly Twitter) that he had removed immigration officers allegedly obstructing Banyarwanda citizens from obtaining national identity documents.
In a post on the night of February 3, Gen. Muhoozi wrote:
“I have decided to remove all immigration officers who were making it hard for our Banyarwanda in Uganda to get IDs immediately. Others will be appointed soon.”
I have decided to remove All the officers in immigration that were making life hard for our Ugandan – Banyarwanda to get IDs immediately. Others will be appointed soon.
The Banyarwanda community comprises Ugandan citizens of Rwandan descent, many of whom have reported difficulties accessing identification documents due to alleged demands for ancestral proof dating back decades. Many prominent figures and community leaders have condemned such requirements as unfair and discriminatory, saying they have long created obstacles for Banyarwanda citizens trying to obtain IDs and passports.
At this stage, there has been no official confirmation from the Ministry of Internal Affairs or Uganda Immigration Services regarding the dismissals. Observers note that if true, the action would mark a significant response to long-standing complaints from the Banyarwanda community.
Rights advocates continue to call for clarity and adherence to constitutional provisions that guarantee citizenship and non-discrimination, emphasizing that delays or denials of IDs and passports can hinder access to public services, banking, and employment.
The story is developing, and attempts to reach the Uganda Immigration Services for comment were not immediately successful.
