Museveni: Most people in Central region who claim to be Baganda are Banyarwanda

President Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni has said most people in Central Uganda who are masquerading as Baganda are Banyarwanda.

Speaking during scientific Labour Day celebrations at State House Entebbe, Museveni explained that Banyarwanda had come to work in Uganda during colonial days, only to settle in Buganda and other areas.

“Here in central [Uganda], most of the people who run around as Baganda are Banyarwanda,” said Museveni.

“They came because there were jobs here with no one to do them locally during the colonial times because Uganda is so rich.”

In recent years, Baganda, Banyarwanda and Banyankore ethnic groups have been subjects of sectarian commentary.

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The sectarianism and tribalism talk has often been ignited by claims that the Museveni administration favours people from western Uganda when it comes to top government and military jobs.

Museveni, who some of his extreme critics claim he is a Munyarwanda, has dismissed allegations of favouring westerners.

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Meanwhile, while Banyarwanda are recognized as a tribe in Uganda, a section of Banyarwanda in Uganda have asked government to change their name to Abavandimwe (meaning brothers).