The appointment of Dr. Lawrence Muganga as Deputy Minister for Internal Affairs has been blocked by Parliament’s Appointments Committee, following allegations that he holds Rwandan citizenship.
The committee rejected his nomination, leading to his disqualification from assuming the ministerial role.
Shortly after the rejection, Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, confirmed that Muganga cannot serve as a minister because the laws of Uganda prohibit a foreign citizen from holding a government position. Tayebwa emphasized that the constitution is clear on the matter, leaving no room for appointment.
Back in Muganga’s home village of Gwafu, Goma Sub-county, Mukono Municipality, the news has been met with disappointment. Local leaders and residents, led by village chairperson Abus Mukwaya, have come out in defense of Muganga.
They insist that he is a true son of the soil, recalling that as far back as 1994, he was elected as the first youth councilor for Seeta Parish. Residents say they had celebrated his nomination as minister, hoping he would develop Gwafu Village, and they have now appealed to President Museveni to intervene in the matter.
Salongo Edward Mutebi, who has led Goma Sub-county since the days of the Constituent Assembly (CA) and also serves as the NRM chairperson for Seeta Parish, confirmed that Muganga grew up in the community. Mutebi stated that he lived alongside Muganga’s parents until their retirement and burial, all within the same home.
In his own defense, Dr. Muganga has explained that he completed all his education in Uganda. After graduating from Makerere University in 2002, he struggled to find a job and moved to Rwanda, where he secured employment. He later relocated to Canada for further studies, where he eventually obtained citizenship. However, he maintains a strong desire to serve Uganda and has promised to contribute to the country’s education sector, asking President Museveni to look into his case.
To prove his roots, Muganga has pointed out that he is still living on the ancestral land of his late father, Kayongo Leonard, and mother, Immaculate Kayongo. Amidst his family’s mourning, he has dismissed those accusing him of not being Ugandan, saying he has planted flowers on his parents’ graves as a sign of belonging.
Meanwhile, Frank Gashumba, a leader of an organization that brings together Rwandans living in Uganda, has weighed in on the matter. Gashumba noted that Rwandans have often been stigmatized in Uganda and denied passports, until President Museveni issued a directive easing the acquisition of national IDs. He added that President Museveni appointed Muganga for a reason, and that many have high hopes that Muganga will one day become a confirmed president’s minister.
Reporting for Salt TV, this is Kyambadde Lawrence.
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