Dr Lawrence Muganga has dismissed allegations that he holds a Rwandan passport, saying the claim is false and has been used to misrepresent the reasons behind his rejection for the position of State Minister for Internal Affairs.
Responding to Kasambya County MP Daudi Kabanda, Muganga insisted that the claims of him holding three passports — Ugandan, Canadian and Rwandan — are inaccurate.
“Hon. Daudi Kabanda, with due respect, I must set the record straight. I do NOT hold a Rwandan passport. This is a deliberate falsehood introduced by Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, and the truth must be told,” he said.
The Appointments Committee declined to approve Muganga’s nomination following scrutiny of his citizenship status and related documentation.
However, Muganga argues that the decision was not based on the official vetting process alone.
He cited remarks he attributes to Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, suggesting the outcome had been predetermined.
“We have it ON RECORD — Thomas Tayebwa’s own words: ‘In every vetting session we have to fail someone, and this time it had to be you, Dr. Muganga,’” he said, adding that audio evidence would later be made public.
Muganga maintained that the process was not focused on qualifications or integrity, but was instead influenced by bias.
“This rejection was decided before the process even began. It was never about passports, qualifications, or integrity. It was personal. It was calculated,” he said.
He further alleged that what took place during the vetting amounted to discrimination, saying it was directed at him because of his identity.
“What I experienced in that committee was not parliamentary oversight. It was hatred. It was discrimination directed at me simply because I am a Munyarwanda,” he said.
Muganga defended his record, saying he has spent decades working in education leadership and international engagements across several countries, including extensive experience in institutional development and public service.
He added that members of the Appointments Committee, including those from the opposition, were present during the proceedings and witnessed what transpired.
Muganga also defended the role of the Banyarwanda community in Uganda, stating that they are Ugandan citizens who contribute to national development.
“We Banyarwanda are Ugandans. We were born here. We pay taxes here. We build institutions here,” he said.
He called for equal treatment under the law, saying no community should be treated differently in public service appointments.
“Uganda belongs to all its citizens equally. We are not second class citizens,” he said.
The dispute comes amid continued debate over the Appointments Committee’s decision to reject his nomination, with differing accounts emerging over whether the outcome was based on citizenship documentation, procedural compliance, or alleged bias.