The current citizenship law framework in Uganda was established by the 1995 Constitution and the Citizenship and Immigration Control Act 1999. The 1995 constitution provides for an explicit ethnic definition of Ugandan citizenship, and includes a schedule listing ethnic groups that are considered Ugandan. For members of those groups, however, citizenship is provided based on birth in Uganda, without need to prove the parent is a citizen — restoring the jus soli citizenship that had existed at independence, but only for indigenous groups (which exclude people of European and Asian descent). Some ethnic groups, such as the Maragoli, have complained at exclusion from citizenship rights because they are excluded from this list. Children of refugees are also excluded from acquiring citizenship based on birth in Uganda.
The constitution provides that spouses of citizens, and persons living in Uganda for twenty years on entry into force of the constitution, as well as others who have “legally and voluntarily” entered the country, are entitled to acquire citizenship by registration. Naturalisation, a more discretionary process, is provided for by the act, based on twenty years residence in Uganda and other conditions.
In 2005, the citizenship provisions in the constitution were amended by Act No.11 of 2005, to permit dual citizenship, change the residence periods for registration as a citizen, and add to the list of “indigenous” groups; the Citizenship and Immigration Control Act was amended in 2009 to match the revised constitution. In 2006 a new Refugees Act was adopted, stating that “the Constitution and any other law in force in Uganda shall apply to the naturalisation of a recognised refugee.” In 2015, a Constitutional Court judgement confirmed that refugees were not eligible for citizenship by registration as provided under the Constitution, but expressed its view that they should be eligible for naturalisation under the Citizenship and Immigration Control Act.
Recently, Juma Witonze Kisekka, a member of Abavandimwe, was appointed State minister of Internal Affairs, thus getting directions from President Museveni to sort out the citizenship questions that have faced the community. We had an interface with Frank Gashumba, the […]
Kampala, Uganda | URN | Former United Nations Under-Secretary-General Olara Otunnu says he has forgiven the Ugandan government for what he describes as years of mistreatment that left him stateless after authorities allegedly refused to renew his Ugandan passport. Otunnu, […]
By Nelson Naturinda What began as a routine government formation process after President Yoweri Museveni’s swearing-in for a new term on May 12 has thrust Uganda’s long-running citizenship debate into the national spotlight. Among the names submitted for ministerial jobs […]
The absence of all four nominees from Monday’s ceremony appears to signal that government has opted to await further legal guidance before allowing them to take the oath of office ENTEBBE — Four ministerial nominees whose citizenship status has been […]
The controversy surrounding Dr. Lawrence Muganga’s failed vetting as Minister of State for Internal Affairs has raised a fundamental legal question that goes far beyond one individual: Can a Ugandan legally hold citizenship of three countries at the same time? […]
The committee cited the Citizenship and Immigration Act which bars holders of dual citizenship from holding offices listed in the Fifth Schedule which includes the presidency, prime minister, cabinet and ministers of state. The Parliamentary Appointments Committee has rejected the […]
Godfrey Tugume KAMPALA — Parliament’s Appointments Committee has rejected the nomination of Victoria University Vice Chancellor Dr. Lawrence Muganga as Minister of State for Internal Affairs after he reportedly failed to satisfy members on questions surrounding his citizenship status. The […]
By Edgar Muvunyi Tabaro The debate surrounding Banyarwanda citizenship in Uganda has once again resurfaced, this time in the wake of recent public appointments. As has often been the case, the discussion has generated more heat than light, with ethnicity, […]
By Rodgers Manishimwe, Director, Research Council for Abavadimwe The Banyarwanda—the Hutu, Tutsi, and Twa—are a significant ethnic community in Uganda whose history dates far beyond the colonial boundaries. Despite being declared indigenous by Uganda’s 1995 Constitution; they continue to face […]
By Elizabeth Kamurungi Several decades after Independence, many African countries continue to contend with perpetual cycles of conflicts as a result of politicisation of ethnicity, the problem which was compounded by European colonialism divide and rule systems, including land border […]
By Catherine Nakato We have received a directive from the President to stop handling dual citizenship for specific groups, including Banyarwanda and Sudanese The Ministry of Internal Affairs has confirmed a presidential directive halting the processing of dual citizenship applications […]
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has reaffirmed his commitment to protecting the rights and identity of long-time residents of Rwandan descent in Uganda, urging officials to treat such communities with fairness and dignity. While meeting the Banyarwanda (Abavandimwe) community on Wednesday […]