Museveni Receives Support from Abavandimwe Council Amidst 2026 Election Preparations
Kampala, Uganda - September 24, 2025 – A significant display of support for President Yoweri Museveni unfolded today with the Council for Abavandimwe presenting him with a commemorative portrait. This gesture occurred during the inauguration of the Patriotism Clubs of uganda’s new headquarters, signaling a strengthening of political alignment as the 2026 general elections approach.
Patriotism Clubs: Fostering National Unity
The opening of the Patriotism clubs’ central headquarters marks a key progress for this presidential initiative. Launched in 2009, the Clubs aim to instill national values – unity, discipline, and patriotism – within Uganda’s youth and student population through school-based programs. This expansion reflects President Museveni’s vision for a future generation deeply connected to their nation.
Abavandimwe Council’s Endorsement & Historical Context
The Council for Abavandimwe’s public endorsement of Museveni as the National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate carries considerable weight. Members actively participated in his nomination filing and a subsequent rally, demonstrating strong collective support.
Their backing stems from a recent Executive Order addressing decades of discrimination faced by the Abavandimwe community. This community, officially recognized as Uganda’s 24th tribe under the 1995 constitution, has historically faced challenges related to national identification and citizenship.
Addressing Decades of Discrimination: The Executive Order
For years, members of the Abavandimwe – indigenous Banyarwanda people – where frequently enough wrongly identified as rwandan nationals. This led to intrusive interrogations and denials of essential documents like national IDs and passports.
The Executive Order, issued on January 24, 2025, directly tackles this issue by:
* Streamlining National ID & Passport Issuance: Ensuring all citizens receive documentation nonetheless of ethnicity.
* Eliminating Ethnic Bias: prohibiting discrimination in the identification process.
* Preventing Arbitrary Cancellations: Protecting citizenship rights once established.
* Simplified Citizenship Verification: Requiring only a National Identification Number and local verification for birthright citizenship.
This order has demonstrably improved access to vital services for the Abavandimwe, including:
* Education
* Healthcare
* Land Ownership
* Employment
Frank Gashumba, a co-founder of the rebranded “Abavandimwe” (meaning “brethren”) Council – representing an estimated 11 million Ugandans – hailed the order as a “bold affirmation of pan-Africanism and Ubuntu.”
looking Ahead to the 2026 Elections
The Council has pledged to mobilize nationwide support, aiming for President Museveni to secure 81% of the vote in 2026. This commitment represents a significant boost to the NRM’s campaign strategy.
The event underscores a broader strategy by President museveni to connect patriotism with electoral support. The inauguration concluded with resounding chants of “Long live Museveni!”
While this moment highlights the potential for reforms to heal historical divisions, continued vigilance is crucial to ensure full and effective implementation of the Executive Order. the launch of the Patriotism Clubs, bolstered by this key endorsement, signals a focused effort to cultivate national unity and solidify political support in the lead-up to the elections.
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