The Council for Abavandimwe, an association of Ugandans of Rwandan descent, has pledged to give President Yoweri Museveni 100% support in the 2026 general elections.
The group, led by chairman Frank Gashumba, made the declaration during a press conference at Serena Hotel in Kampala, where members displayed placards praising the President. They said their support is rooted in gratitude for Museveni’s intervention in restoring their rights as full Ugandan citizens.
Gashumba explained that for years, Abavandimwe faced discrimination, with many denied access to national identity cards and passports. “We were considered non-citizens, marginalized, and left out of opportunities. But the President intervened and ended this injustice,” he said.
The group recalled years of appeals to state institutions including the Police, the Human Rights Commission, the Inspector General of Government, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and even Parliament—all of which yielded little progress. Their turning point, they said, came when they presented their grievances directly to the President, who signed a 2025 directive restoring their rights.
According to the group, the directive—now being implemented by the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control—has enabled members to access essential national documents without restrictions. However, they noted that some challenges remain within the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which they hope will be addressed.
Reading a statement on behalf of the group, Jackline Mbabazi praised the directive as a lifeline for the community, while spokesperson Justine Buchana emphasized that the Abavandimwe have consistently supported Museveni in previous elections. “In the past, he has received 90% of our votes. This time, we are determined to deliver 100%,” she said.
The association pledged to rally their communities behind the President in the 2026 elections, saying that for them, “if he loses, we all lose.”
