President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has issued an Executive Order to address administrative challenges in the recognition and protection of citizenship rights in Uganda. Signed on January 24, 2025, the directive aims to ensure fair treatment of Ugandan citizens, particularly in the issuance of passports and national identification documents.
The order comes after persistent complaints from individuals, notably Ugandans of the Banyarwanda tribe, who alleged discrimination and denial of identification documents despite being rightful citizens of Uganda.
President Museveni clarified that the 1995 Constitution already provides for three categories of citizenship—by birth, registration, and naturalization—under Chapter 3. He emphasized that the issue lies in the administration of the law, not in the law itself.
To rectify this, Museveni directed:
- Every Ugandan citizen has the right to obtain a passport or travel document and to enter, leave, and return to Uganda.
- Passport applications should comply with Section 40 of the Citizenship and Immigration Control Act, which only requires a National Identification Number (NIN) and other prescribed requirements.
- Administrative processes for proving citizenship must respect human dignity and avoid imposing unnecessary requirements not specified by law.
- Citizenship by birth is inherent, and immigration officers must presume citizenship unless there is concrete evidence to the contrary.
The President also highlighted a gap in the law, noting that citizenship is not automatically granted to children of citizens by birth or naturalization. He directed the Minister of Internal Affairs and the Attorney General to address this legislative anomaly immediately.
Furthermore, Museveni instructed that the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control should not confiscate or cancel National Identity cards issued by the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) without adhering to legal due process.
This Executive Order reinforces Uganda’s commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of its citizens while ensuring adherence to constitutional provisions.
