Businessman Donati Kananura has sparked controversy by questioning whether fellow businessman Frank Gashumba
Kananura, an 84-year-old prominent figure from Bisheshero sub-county in Kanungu district, owns properties in the upscale areas of Muyenga, Munyonyo, and Kiwafu Estates. He is among those who oppose Frank Gashumba’s leadership of the Abavandimwe group, which unites long-standing Banyarwanda residents of Uganda who are now citizens. Kananura has reportedly launched a campaign to remove Gashumba from his position.
On October 25, Gashumba led an Abavandimwe delegation to meet with President Yoweri Museveni, where they addressed concerns about "the abuse of citizenship rights of Banyarwanda by certain rogue individuals in the Immigration Department and NIRA.” This meeting appears to have fueled tensions between Gashumba and Kananura, who was a childhood friend of Gashumba’s late father.
In a media interview, Kananura alleged that Gashumba lacks both property and a wife, further adding, “Gashumba is not a man,” and claiming he doesn’t even have a woman willing to marry him. When reminded of Gashumba’s daughter, Kananura retorted, “Were you there when he was impregnating the mother? He might be claiming her as his when she isn’t. I think he is not even functional… we know each other very well.”
Gashumba has one daughter, Sheilah, with Christine Mukuza. Kananura mentioned that he and Gashumba’s father were close friends who once co-owned a coffee factory in Bisheshero. Gashumba himself has previously acknowledged his father’s connection with Kananura.
Responding to Kananura’s remarks, Gashumba retorted, “Kananura, you have three wives—give me one, and I’ll show her fire. You’ll need an ambulance for her afterwards. Before suspending me, he should deworm… No one who drinks cheap beer can think straight… on what grounds can he fire me?” Gashumba also advised Kananura and his supporters to steer clear of personal attacks, warning they would not be able to best him in the media, where he has considerable experience.