Frank Gashumba: Nobody Can Chase Banyarwanda from Uganda; We’re the Majority & We Decide Who Becomes President

Social and political commentator Frank Gashumba has claimed that the Banyarwanda or Bavandimwe are the majority in Uganda and cannot be chased from the country since they decide who becomes the president. 

Although there is an entire country called Rwanda, Banyarwanda are a recognized tribe of Uganda. But in some political debates, some political leaders and their supporters have sought to label some of the officials in government Banyarwanda.

Some of the threats against Banyarwanda, most of whom were born and raised in Uganda, were intensified during the 2021 general elections, with some social media hate mongers swearing they would deport Banyarwanda, whom they insist were not Ugandan citizens even when the laws of Uganda recognize Banyarwanda as a tribe.

Banyarwanda have also previously complained of discrimination when it comes to processing of identification documents, especially passports, with some immigration officials reportedly setting tough conditions that locked out many applicants, according to associations of Banyarwanda in Uganda.

Now, Gashumba has come out to claim that Banyarwanda or Bavandimwe are the majority in Uganda. “We are the biggest number in Uganda(Bavandiimwe), we are the ones to change leadership, how can you chase us from the country,” Gashumba, the Sisimuka Uganda founder and CEO who has been in a war of words with supporters of NUP leader Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine, told Urban Rush Talk.

But according to the 2014 National Population and Housing Census, Baganda, Banyankore, Basoga, Bakiga and Iteso are the most dominant tribes of Uganda with 5.5 million people (16.5 per cent), 3.2 million (9.6 per cent), 2.9 million (8.8 per cent), 2.39 million (7.1 per cent) and 2.36 million (7 per cent), respectively.

The others are: Langi at 2.13 million (6.3 per cent), Bagisu, 1.6 million people; Acholi, 1.47 million people (4.4 per cent); Lugbara, about 1 million people (3.3 per cent); Banyoro 96, 6976; Batoro, 810,708; Alur, 878,453; Bakonzo, 850,646; Bafumbira, 713,231; Bagwere, 621,150; Banyarwanda, 524,098; Jopadhola, 481,816; Basamia, 421,106; Karimajong, 371,713; Madi, 292,983; and Sabiny, 273, 839.

A number of top government officials have previously denied being Banyarwanda or even Rwandan. Some of these include President Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa himself and opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye’s wife Winnie Byanyima. (Read their stories Here and There).