Uganda: Information on the ethnic composition of the army of Uganda, including on whether members of the Ganda ethnic group are conscripted
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 November 1995 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | UGA22202.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Uganda: Information on the ethnic composition of the army of Uganda, including on whether members of the Ganda ethnic group are conscripted, 1 November 1995, UGA22202.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6aae0c.html [accessed 1 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Specific reference to the representation of the South-eastern ethnic group Ganda (or the Baganda), one of the country's largest ethnic groups, in the Ugandan armed forces could not be found among the sources consulted by the DIRB. However, the following information may be of interest.
According to the attached reports, ethnic groups from northern Uganda dominated Uganda's military and politics until 1986, when President Museveni, a Banyankole from the Ankole region in southwestern Uganda, came to power (AP 2 April 1994; Indian Ocean Newsletter 15 July 1995). His rise was thanks to the armed forces which was made up of men from central, southern and western ethnic groups (Reuters 30 Jan. 1992). A "former norther rebel officer" was quoted by Reuters in a 30 January 1992 report as stating that the army is now dominated by members of the same ethnic groups that brought President Museveni to power. For more information, please refer to the attachments.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Associated Press (AP). 2 April 1994. Henry Wasswa. "Opponents of Multiparty Politics Win Majority in Constitutional Assembly Vote." (NEXIS)
The Indian Ocean Newsletter [London]. 15 July 1995. "Uganda: Syndrome of a Plot." (NEXIS)
Reuters. 30 January 1992. BC Cycle. Buchiza Mseteka. "As Uganda Plans Reforms, Army Again Holds Key to the Future." (NEXIS)
Attachments
Associated Press (AP). 2 April 1994. Henry Wasswa. "Opponents of Multiparty Politics Win Majority in Constitutional Assembly Vote." (NEXIS)
The Indian Ocean Newsletter [London]. 15 July 1995. "Uganda: Syndrome of A Plot." (NEXIS)
New African [London]. February 1995. No. 327. "How I Escaped from Museveni's Prison," pp. 11-15.
Reuters. 30 January 1992. BC Cycle. Buchiza Mseteka. "As Uganda Plans Reforms, Army Again Holds Key to the Future." (NEXIS)
Uganda: A Country Study. 1992. Edited by Rita M. Byrnes. Washington, DC: Secretary of the Army, pp. 49-70, 200-14.
Other Sources Consulted
Africa Confidential [London]. January 1993-20 October 1995.
Africa Research Bulletin [London]. January-February 1993/May-June 1995.
Amnesty International Annual Report 1993, 1994, 1995. 1993, 1994, 1995.
Amnesty International country file. December 1992-present.
Country Reports 1993, 1994. 1994, 1995.
Critique 1993. 1994.
DIRB country file. December 1992-present.
The Europa World Yearbook 1994-1995. 1995.
FBIS Daily Reports. January 1991-23 October 1995.
Human Rights in Developing Countries Yearbook 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995. 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995.
Human Rights Watch Report 1993, 1994, 1995. 1993, 1994, 1995.
La Lettre de la Fédération internationale des droits de l'homme (FIDH) [Paris]. January 1994-September 1995.
