Political commentator Frank Gashumba has publicly declared the end of his friendship with Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa, following the rejection of Dr. Lawrence Muganga’s nomination for State Minister of Internal Affairs.
Speaking on Radio 4’s Entugga program, Gashumba made a dramatic statement about the fallout between the two.
“Even if I were to find myself in Heaven with the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, I would choose to leave. Thomas Tayebwa has been my friend, but unfortunately, our friendship has now come to an end.”, Frank Gashumba declared.
The dispute stems from the decision of Parliament’s Appointments Committee to reject Muganga’s nomination over concerns surrounding his citizenship status. The committee reportedly questioned allegations that Muganga holds multiple citizenships, including those of Uganda, Rwanda, and Canada.
Under Uganda’s Citizenship and Immigration Control Act, individuals holding dual or multiple citizenships are restricted from occupying certain ministerial and security-related positions.
Gashumba has accused Tayebwa of influencing the committee’s decision, a claim that has fueled public debate about the fairness of Uganda’s vetting process for senior government appointments.
Meanwhile, Dr. Lawrence Muganga, the Vice Chancellor of Victoria University and the rejected ministerial nominee, has also accused Tayebwa of playing a central role in his rejection.
Speaking to the media earlier, Muganga alleged that claims regarding his supposed Rwandan citizenship were introduced during the vetting process without evidence. He further claimed that Tayebwa was determined to ensure that at least one candidate failed the interviews.
Muganga has described the allegations against him as false and unsubstantiated, arguing that they were motivated by personal bias and prejudice against people of Banyarwanda heritage.
The controversy continues to attract attention, with supporters and critics on both sides debating the role of Parliament’s Appointments Committee, citizenship requirements for public office, and the conduct of the vetting process
