Nubian community petitions Parliament over decades of marginalisation

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The Nubian community in Uganda has petitioned Parliament, calling for government intervention to address longstanding issues of discrimination, exclusion and marginalisation.

Hassan Kirumira (Katikamu County South, NUP), on behalf of Twaha Hassan, a representative of the Ugandan Nubian community, presented the petition to Parliament on July 30, 2025.

The petition highlights several concerns, including that despite being recognised as bona fide citizens of Uganda, the Nubian community continues to face systemic discrimination and marginalisation. The Nubians are listed in the 1995 Constitution of the Republic of Uganda as one of the indigenous tribes of the country. They became indigenous to Uganda as far back as 1844, after migrating from Sudan through the northern route and settling in urban centres such as Bombo.

The community has integrated into Ugandan society through business, intermarriages and national service, and has contributed significantly to nation-building and development. However, Nubians continue to face social and economic challenges that hinder their overall well-being and progress. They are underrepresented in government appointments, including ministries, statutory boards, foreign service and local government structures, which limits their political participation.

The President’s directive to restore Bombo to municipality status has not yet been implemented. Bombo, regarded as the cradle of the Nubian community, previously held municipality status from the 1970s to 1996 but was downgraded to a town council, reducing its political and economic privileges.

Following the fall of President Idi Amin’s regime in 1979 and the subsequent NRA war in the Luwero Triangle, many Nubians were killed, displaced and had their properties destroyed or looted. No government compensation or intervention has been made to help them recover.

Bank accounts belonging to some Nubians were frozen after the 1979 regime change, and efforts to have them reinstated have been unsuccessful. The community lacks access to a fully equipped health facility in Bombo, with critical shortages of diagnostic equipment and no ambulance services.

Unemployment among Nubian youth remains high, leading to school dropouts, idleness and limited access to higher education. The dropout rate is exacerbated by poverty, teenage pregnancies and the inability of parents to afford school fees.

The petitioners have asked Parliament to urge the government to implement the presidential directive to reinstate Bombo’s municipality status, citing the socioeconomic benefits this would bring. They also called for Bombo Health Centre to be adequately equipped with medical supplies and diagnostic equipment, and provided with an ambulance.

They further appealed for support for the economic empowerment of the Nubian community through strengthened Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisations (SACCOs) and skills training. The petition calls for the appointment of qualified Nubians to public service positions and the promotion of their participation in political processes.

It also asks that the relevant parliamentary committee investigate the delay in unfreezing bank accounts belonging to affected members of the Nubian community.

Speaker of Parliament Anita Among, who chaired the House, directed the Prime Minister, Robinah Nabbanja, to take action on the petition and address the concerns raised by the Nubian community.