Former Makerere University Vice Chancellor Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba has entered the debate surrounding the citizenship controversy involving Dr. Lawrence Muganga, urging Parliament to reconsider its position and apologise for what he termed historical misrepresentation of Ugandans of Rwandan origin.
In a detailed reflection, Baryamureeba anchored his argument in the broader regional history of the Great Lakes, referencing communities such as the Banyamulenge in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and Banyarwanda populations across Uganda, many of whom, he noted, have lived through cycles of displacement, political exclusion, and shifting national identities.
He argued that many Banyarwanda families in Uganda trace their roots back generations, with their forebears having fled political persecution in Rwanda during earlier regimes. According to him, these communities have long contributed to Uganda’s political and military history, including liberation struggles that culminated in 1979 and 1986.
“Many of these Banyarwanda made great contributions to the liberation struggles. Some shed their blood for Uganda to be free,” he said in his statement, adding that their role in regional liberation movements is often overlooked in current citizenship debates.
Baryamureeba also referenced the historical ties between Uganda and Rwanda during the early 1990s, noting that Uganda served as a base for elements involved in Rwanda’s liberation war that eventually ended the 1994 genocide.
He cited senior military figures, including those within the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), as witnesses to these historical dynamics.
Turning to the controversy involving Dr. Muganga, Baryamureeba questioned the logic behind demands for clarification on his Rwandan citizenship status, arguing that possession of a Rwandan passport should not automatically be equated to dual citizenship in the absence of formal naturalisation processes.
He suggested that Muganga’s acquisition of a Rwandan passport was linked to mobility challenges faced by Ugandans of Rwandan origin at the time, particularly restrictions on travel and access to international education opportunities.
“Some Ugandans of Rwandan origin were denied passports in Uganda, and alternative documentation was sought to pursue education abroad,” he said, adding that such circumstances must be understood within their historical context.
Baryamureeba further noted that Dr. Muganga has already renounced Canadian citizenship, urging Parliament to focus on verifiable legal obligations rather than assumptions tied to historical documentation.
He criticised the Parliamentary Committee on Appointments for what he described as a lack of sensitivity to the lived experiences of minority communities, calling for a public apology over what he termed “traumatising” questioning.
He also dismissed claims that Muganga’s use of a Rwandan passport necessarily reflects current nationality, stating that such documents may have been acquired under exceptional circumstances unrelated to formal citizenship status.
“Dr. Muganga is a Ugandan with full rights,” he asserted, adding that citizenship debates should not be used to undermine individuals who have contributed to national development through education and service.
The former vice chancellor urged President Yoweri Museveni and Parliament to uphold what he described as the spirit of constitutional inclusivity, warning that continued disputes risk deepening marginalisation of minority communities.