By Moses Walubiri<\/p>\n
The mooted amendment is tailored to adding the Maragoli to the 56 officially recognized indigenous Ugandan communities.<\/p>\n
KAMPALA – After years of living in the shadows of a country they have known as their home, Parliament has set in motion a process that might see the Maragoli people recognized as indigenous Ugandan citizens.<\/p>\n
On Thursday, Parliament gave leave to MP Jack Odur Lutanywa (Kibanda South) to table a private member\u2019s Bill to amend the third schedule to Uganda\u2019s 1995 constitution.<\/p>\n
The mooted amendment is tailored to adding the Maragoli to the 56 officially recognized indigenous Ugandan communities.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s high time the country discussed and addressed this issue. They (Maragoli) have been coming to my office to enlist my help. The Indians are also complaining,\u201d Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga said, adding that the House granted Lutanywa leave.<\/p>\n
In support for the motion, Elizabeth Karungi (Kanungu district) noted that it\u2019s only fair that people who have been in Uganda for over a century should be granted citizenship.<\/p>\n
In his justification for the motion, Lutanywa told the House that there over 30,000 stateless Maragoli people in Uganda.<\/p>\n