A community of Ugandans of Rwandan origin have disassociated them selves from attempts to change their identity from Banyarwanda, saying the move is “sacrilegious” and pushed by opportunists.
Addressing a press conference last week, a group of Ugandans with Rwandan origin said they were moving to rebrand from the identity Banyarwanda which they claim has always been the genesis of suffering and discrimination especially from authorities in Uganda. The group led by Frank Gashumba said they were moving to adopt a new name -abavandimwe to distinguish them from those that have recently migrated from Rwanda.
Another group under the association “UMUBANO” has vehemently come out to oppose the campaign to rename the Ugandan Banyarwanda saying it is uncalled for, and brings no benefit to the Ugandan Banyarwanda but only sows confusion and disunity in their community.
During a press conference in Kampala, Secretary General Machari Frank said the move by Frank Gashumba and his group to drop their “Rwandan identity” will strip Ugandans of Rwandan origin their original identity which they can’t tolerate.
UMUBANO also disowned the group led by Frank Gashumba branding them as “opportunists driven by economic interests” scheming to demean and humiliate the “Rwandan heritage.”
“UMUBANO wishes to state categorically that we do not subscribe to the idea of changing our identity as proposed by the above mentioned group at all. We dis associate ourselves from this group’s apparent uninformed proposal that has the effect of de-identifying, demeaning, indignifying, humiliating and therefore taking away the pride and esteem of the Ugandan Banyarwanda as a people” the statement reads.
Former Mawokota MP Hon Peter Mutuluza who is also a member of UMUBANO lashed at Gashumba who he accused of using the platform to fleece President Museveni of money. Mutuluza appealed to Museveni to reconsider the engagement with anyone on the change of name which he claims “may spark chaos” among Ugandans of Rwandan origin.
“We have no reason whatsoever to change the name Banyarwanda, neither does anyone have the mandate to change our identity and heritage. We also warn the architects of this controversial scheme to stop confusing the public” the statement adds.
The group under UMUBANO say Banyarwanda notes that their membership are an indigenous community to the territory of what came to be called Uganda out of colonial designs, and are listed as such in the 3rd schedule of the Constitution of Uganda.
On claims that the Ugandan Banyarwanda are mistreated and sidelined by authorities during acquisition of documents, Machari said engagements with “relevant and high” authorities have been going on to find a lasting solution to the problem. He also said the assertion by that changing a name would avoid discrimination is an unfortunate surrender to such discrimination and will entrench rather than cure the same.
