As he stood before the graves, Muganga struggled to contain his emotions, breaking down in tears as he reflected on the public scrutiny surrounding his nationality.
Dr. Lawrence Muganga has mounted a public defence of his Ugandan citizenship, leading journalists and a few family friends to his ancestral home in Mukono District and the graves of his parents in an effort to counter allegations that derailed his ministerial appointment.
The former Victoria University Deputy Chancellor, who was recently nominated by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni as Minister of State for Internal Affairs, failed to secure parliamentary approval after concerns were raised about his nationality and his past possession of multiple passports.
In a dramatic and emotional visit to Ggwafu Central Zone in Goma Division on Friday, Muganga sought to demonstrate what he described as undeniable evidence of his Ugandan roots.
The visit culminated at the graves of his late parents, Leonard Kayonga and Immaculate Kayonga, both buried in Seeta, Mukono District. His father died in 1999, while his mother passed away in December 2025. Their daughter, Christina Nyinawabega, who died in 2002, is also buried at the same site.
As he stood before the graves, Muganga struggled to contain his emotions, breaking down in tears as he reflected on the public scrutiny surrounding his nationality.
He described the controversy as deeply painful, saying he never imagined he would one day be required to prove where he comes from.
“This is my home. These are my parents’ graves. The people here know me and know my family,” Muganga told journalists.
The academic recounted his childhood and education, insisting that he was born and raised in Uganda. He pointed to his admission to Makerere University under a government sponsorship scheme as further proof of his citizenship, arguing that such scholarships are reserved for Ugandan nationals.
Muganga dismissed allegations that he studied in Rwanda and accused his critics of deliberately spreading misinformation to damage his reputation.
“I was born and raised here. My family is known here, and these are the graves of my parents. There is no school in Rwanda that I attended. The allegations being spread against me are intended to damage my reputation and misrepresent who I am,” he said.
While acknowledging his ethnic background as a Munyarwanda, Muganga stressed that ethnicity should not be confused with nationality.
“I do not deny my ethnicity, but being a Munyarwanda does not make me a citizen of Rwanda. I am a Ugandan citizen,” he said.
Addressing questions surrounding his citizenship history, Muganga explained that after graduating from university, he struggled to find employment in Uganda and eventually secured work in Rwanda.
According to him, he later acquired Rwandan citizenship to strengthen his employment status, but maintained that his Ugandan origins were fully disclosed throughout the process.
He said he subsequently moved to Canada for postgraduate studies, where he also acquired Canadian citizenship before surrendering his Rwandan passport through the Rwandan Embassy in Ottawa.
Muganga added that upon his return to Uganda, following an invitation from former Vice President Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi, he applied for dual citizenship as permitted under Ugandan law.
He further revealed that before appearing before Parliament’s Appointments Committee, he had already initiated the process of renouncing his Canadian citizenship.
However, he claimed the vetting process focused heavily on his ethnic background and previous ties to Rwanda rather than the legal status of his citizenship.
“I was denied an adequate opportunity to explain myself. The discussion shifted to my ethnicity and assumptions about where I belong,” he said.
Muganga accused some individuals of orchestrating a campaign against him and criticised the circulation of his personal documents on social media.
“I condemn the manner in which this has been turned into a witch-hunt against me simply because of my tribe. All Ugandans deserve equal treatment regardless of their background,” he said.
Businessman and social commentator Frank Gashumba, who accompanied Muganga during the visit, also condemned what he described as increasing hostility toward members of the Banyarwanda community.
Gashumba alleged that confidential documents relating to Muganga had been deliberately leaked and urged authorities to investigate those responsible.
“The circulation of personal documents and the continued targeting of people because of their perceived connections is wrong. This is being driven by a small group of individuals, and it should not be tolerated,” he said.
Local leaders rallied behind Muganga during the visit. Ggwafu Village Chairperson Abasi Mukwaya said the Muganga family has lived in the area for decades and is well documented in local records.
Mukwaya expressed disappointment that questions were still being raised about Muganga’s origins despite the family’s long-standing presence in the community.
Residents who gathered at the event described Muganga as a committed community member, recalling his tenure as Youth Chairman in the mid-1990s and his role in establishing a football playground that continues to benefit young people in the area.
As questions surrounding his failed vetting remain unresolved, Muganga insists that the evidence of his Ugandan identity is clear and verifiable.
For now, he says his commitment to serving Uganda remains unchanged, regardless of whether his ministerial appointment is eventually revived.