Tens of thousands in Uganda belong to tribes that aren\u2019t recognized by the country\u2019s constitution. That means they can\u2019t access government services \u2013 and can\u2019t become citizens.<\/p>\n
By Nakisanze Segawa<\/p>\n
KIRYANDONGO, UGANDA \u2014 In 2014, Sagwa Moses Masaba wanted the bank to loan him 10 million Ugandan shillings ($2,700) to expand his produce business. He grows and sells maize, collard greens, sunflower seeds and other vegetables in Kitwanga village, in northwestern Uganda.<\/p>\n
He lacked only one thing: a national identity card.<\/p>\n
Sagwa is a Maragoli, a minority group that Uganda\u2019s constitution doesn\u2019t recognize as one of the country\u2019s 65 indigenous tribes. To get an identity card, a Ugandan resident\u2019s tribe must be on that list.<\/p>\n
The Maragoli\u2019s absence both baffles and frustrates Sagwa, who says his ancestors have made Uganda home since the 18th century. Still, he needed the loan. So he changed his name to Masaba, officially attaching him to the Bamasaba tribe, one of the 65 groups.<\/p>\n