The Banyarwanda Citizenship Question in Uganda A Case Study of Ntungamo District 1959-2002

ABSTRACT 

The Study is about the history of Banyarwanda Citizenship question in Uganda. The 1959 Rwanda revolution left many refugees of Batusti scattered in Ntungamo district. They have negotiated for formal Ugandan citizenship since then but the rules and policies of Uganda governments since independence have not worked in their favour. The work summarises the constant attempts of Banyarwanda refugees to acquire Ugandan citizenship since 1959 -2002.This involved trial to overcome social, political and economic hurdles. Failure to achieve the Ugandan citizenship rights, they had to fall back to their usual position as refugees. Their attempts were always let down by constitutional terms of Uganda regulating rules and policies of the country. Methodologically the research used both qualitative and quantitative methods. 80 respondents of varying ages between (14-60) years were selected from both sexes and interviewed for this study. This primary data were supplemented by secondary sources got from various libraries in Kampala, newspapers, parliamentary archives and Ntungamo District information office. In the findings of the study a number of suggestions were put forward to end the escalating Banyarwanda refugee crisis in the Great Lakes Region. One of the vital issues voiced loudly by respondents is that the Rwandan government should harmonize ethnic unity between the Bahutu and Batusti.This will help them to share the limited resources and end constant refugee incursions out of their country.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title

Declaration

Dedication ii

Acknowledgements iii

Abstract iv

Illustrations V

Map vi-vii

Table of content viii-xi

Bibliography

Appendix A 106

Appendix B 109

CHAPTER ONE: Introduction

1.1 Background 1

1.1.1 The Banyarwanda 1

1.1.2 The Ugandans 2

1.1.3 The Citizenship Question 3

1.1.4 Ntungamo District 6

1.2 Background of the Problem 7

1.2.1 Pre-Colonial Uganda 7

1.2.2 Colonial Rule (1894-1960) 7

1.2.3 Towards Independence (1960-62) 8

1.2.4 The First UPC Regime Obote 1 (1962-71) 9

1.2.5 The Idi Amin regime (1971 -79) 9

1.2.6 The Second UPC Regime Obote 11(1980-1985) 10

1.2.7 The NRM/A Regime (1986-To date) 11

1.3 Problem Statement • 12

1.4 Objectives of the Study 12

1.4.1 Main Objective 12

1.4.2 Specific Objectives 13

1.5 Hypothesis 13

1.6 Research Methodology 13

1.6.1 Research Design 13

1.6.2 Sample Size 14

1.6.3 Data Collection 15

1.6.4 Editing 17

1.6.5 Coding 17

1.6.6 Limitations and Solutions of the study 18

1.7 Significance of the Study 19

1.8 Scope of the Study 19

1.8.1 Time Scope 19

1.8.2 Political Regimes 19

1.8.3 Geographical scope 20

1.8.4 Subject scope 20

1.9 Definition of key terms 20

CHAPTER TWO : Literature Review

2.0 Introduction 22

2.1 Conceptual Model of the Naturalization Process of Refugees~ 23

2.2 Refugee Concept 24

2.3 Citizenship 27

2.4 Integration 31

2.5 Theories of Ethnicity 37

2.6 The Migrant Labour 41

2.7 Citizenship Struggles in Africa 45

2.8 Conclusion .48

CHAPTER THREE: The Banyarwanda Refugee Strategies to Access Resources in Ntungamo District.

3.0 Introduction 49

3.1 Main Demographic Features of Respondents 49

3.1.1 Education

3.1.2 Religion 50

3.1.3 Social Status of the respondents~ 51

3.2 The Resettlement of Refugees in Uganda~ 52

3.3 Culture

3.4 Education

3.5 Politics 58

3.6 Attempts to acquire the Ugandan Citizenship 60

3.7 Evidence of attempts to integrate Banyarwanda 65

3.8 Conclusion 68

CHAPTER FOUR: The Banyarwanda Refugees Experience and Challenges in Ntungamo District.

4.0 Introductions 69

4.1 Means of Livelihood 71

4.2 Migrant and Refugee respondents 72

4.3 Period of Migration 73

4.4. The Transportation Method 75

4.5 The Response of Ntungamo People towards Refugees 76

4.6 Nationality 82

4.7 Employment 83

4.8 Problems faced by Banyarwanda in Ntungamo District 85

4.9 Conclusion 90

CHAPTER FIVE:

5.0 Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation 91

5.1 Introductions 91

5.3 Recommendations 95