Naturalisation and citizenship in Uganda

Ugandan Citizenship

1.0 Who is a citizen of Uganda
i.    Every person born in Uganda, one of whose parents or grandparents is or was a member of any of the indigenous communities existing and residing within the borders of Uganda as at the first day of February, 1926 and set out in the third schedule of the constitution. (article10a of the constitution)
ii.    Every person born in or outside Uganda one of whose parents or grandparents was at the time of birth of that person, a citizen of Uganda by birth.
iii.    A child of not more than five years of age found in Uganda whose parents are not known is presumed to be Ugandan
iv.    A child under the age of eighteen years neither of whose parents is a citizen of Uganda, who is adopted by a citizen of Uganda upon registration shall be a citizen of Uganda
v.    A person who successfully applies for and is registered as a citizen of Uganda

1.1 What document will I be issued to show that I am a registered citizen?
A person who is registered as a citizen of Uganda shall be issued with a serialized certificate of registration.

1.2 What is the effect of being registered as a Ugandan?
Upon registration as a citizen of Uganda, one acquires all rights, duties and responsibilities that accrue to a Ugandan citizen such as the right to hold a Uganda Passport, the right to vote, the duty to pay taxes, duty to report crime, the duty to defend the Constitution of Uganda.

1.2 What is dual citizenship?
In Uganda, dual citizenship means the simultaneous possession of two citizenships of which one is Uganda.

1.3 Does dual citizenship include possession of three citizenships?
No; dual citizenship in Uganda means only two citizenships of which one is Uganda. The possession of a third citizenship disqualifies one from holding or being a dual national of Uganda unless the third citizenship is renounced.

2.0    What is the rationale for dual citizenship in Uganda?

Realization that Ugandans in the Diaspora make enormous contribution to the economic and socio development of Uganda
i.    Need to enable Ugandans in the Diaspora maintain linkages with their roots without any legal hindrances
ii.    The need to attract potential investors
iii.    Reap advantages that accrue from the grant of dual citizenship.

3.0    When did the law on dual citizenship come into force?

    Until 2009, dual citizenship was prohibited in Uganda by Article 15 of the Constitution. Article 15 was amended by constitutional amendment Act. Pursuant to which the Uganda Citizenship and Immigration Control (Amendments) Act 2009 was enacted providing for dual citizenship in Uganda.

3.1    Who qualifies to hold dual citizenship in Uganda?
i.    Any person holding Uganda citizenship and seeks citizenship of another country that allows dual citizenship and also fulfils the requirements for dual nationality OR
ii.    Any person who holds a citizenship of a country that permits dual nationality and also seeks Uganda citizenship and satisfies the requirements for grant of dual citizenship.

4.0    What are the procedures for retaining the citizenship of Uganda when one acquires citizenship of another country?
i.    A citizen of Uganda who desires to acquire the citizenship of another country while retaining his/her citizenship of Uganda shall give notice in writing to the National Citizenship and Immigration Board of his or her application for the citizenship of another country
ii.    The notice above shall be in the prescribed form and shall be accompanied by:
a.    A statutory declaration stating that he or she is a citizen of Uganda only  where the person is a citizen of Uganda and another country, a declaration of renunciation of the Citizenship of the third country evidence that the applicant is of or above eighteen years of age.
b.    A copy of the application for citizenship of that other country.
c.    Any other relevant information.

5.0 Which offices in Uganda cannot be held by a dual citizen hold?
a) President of Uganda
b) Vice President
     
c) Prime Minister
     
d) Cabinet Minister and other Ministers
     
e) Inspector General and the Deputy Inspector General of Government
f) Technical Head of the armed forces
     
g) Technical heads of Branches of the armed forces
         
Commanding Officers of armed forces units of at least battalion strength
     
i) Officers responsible for heading departments responsible for records, personnel and logistics in all branches of the armed forces
     
j) Inspector General of Police and Deputy Inspector General of Police
   
k) Heads and Deputy Heads of National Security and Intelligence Organizations, (ESO, ISO & CMI)
     
l) Member of the National Citizenship and Immigration Board

6.0 Summary Check List for Dual Citizenship Applicants
a)  Fill in the dual citizenship application form and have it commissioned or Notarized by a High Court Judge or Notary Public.
b)  Covering letter addressed to the secretary of the National citizenship and Immigration Board
c)  Letter of good conduct from the home country or Interpol.

d)    Proof that the applicant has been granted citizenship by registration ( only applicable to foreigners who have been granted Ugandan Citizenship by Registration).
e)    Evidence that that other country other than Uganda allows dual citizenship (e.g. letter from immigration authority or High Commission or consulate of that other country or copy of the provisions of laws permitting dual citizenship of that other country ).
f)    Two (2) recent Passport size photos of applicant.
g)    Evidence that the applicant or his/her parents or grandparents have ever resided in Uganda for at least ten years.
h)    Medical report of sanity of the applicant.
i)    Proof that the applicant is above 18 years of age e.g. birth certificate.
j)    Evidence that the applicant has adequate knowledge of English, Swahili or
k)    Evidence that the applicant was formerly a Ugandan ( only applicable to Ugandans in the Diaspora ).

l)    Any of the prescribed vernacular languages.

   A CHECKLIST FOR DUAL CITIZENSHIP-(NON-UGANDAN).

    Fill in the Dual Citizenship application form and have it commissioned or notarized by a High Court Judge or Notary Public;
    A cover letter from applicant addressed to the Secretary, National Citizenship and Immigration Board;
    A letter from the sponsor/recommender who should be a citizen of Uganda by birth. (A sponsor in this case must be an administrative officer, advocate, Bank officer, chairperson of district, Township authority, Justice of Peace, Magistrate, Mayor; Member of Parliament, Member of Municipal Council, Minister of Religion, Notary Public, Physician or Surgeon); A letter of good conduct from the home country or Interpol-Uganda;
    Proof that the Applicant has been granted Citizenship by Registration (only applicable to foreigners who have been granted Uganda Citizenship by Registration).
    Evidence that the other country other than Uganda allows Dual Citizenship. (e.g letter from the Immigration Authority or High Commission or Consulate of that other country or copy of the provisions of laws permitting Dual Citizenship of that other country).
    3 recent coloured passport photos of the applicant with a white background;
    Evidence that the applicant or his or her parents or grandparents have ever resided in Uganda for at least ten years(copies of work permits/certificate of residence/dependant's pass);
    Medical report of sanity of the applicant from a certified doctor;
    Proof that the applicant is above 18 years of age e.g. birth certificate of the applicant/current passport; Evidence that the applicant has not been declared bankrupt.
    Personal URA Tax payments-Pay As Your Earn (PAYE).

    Oath of Allegiance to Uganda. LC 1 letter of recommendation

    NB: 1 -get 4 different signatures on form "D". (2 different witnesses and 2 different sponsors)
    -get Local Council 1 stamp only.

    A CHECKLIST FOR CITIZENSHIP BY NATURALISATION.

    Fill in the citizenship by naturalization forms and have them commissioned or notarized by Commissioner for Oath or a Magistrate;
    A cover letter addressed to the Secretary, National Citizenship and Immigration Control Board; Kampala, Uganda.
    3 recent coloured passport photos of the applicant with a white background
    Evidence that applicant has resided in Uganda for an aggregate period of 20 years

   Any/all of the following:

    passport/travel document -birth certificate -baptism card -academic documents -graduated tax tickets -proof of residence in area- e.g land title, purchase agreement.
    Recommendation from sub-county chief or any person he may assign/ LC letter Evidence that the applicant has been a resident in the country 24 months preceding the date of application;
    Local police clearance -Interpol;
    Adequate knowledge of prescribed vernacular language or English.