By The Ministry of Internal Affairs has moved to dispel concerns over alleged discrimination in the issuance of national identification and travel documents, especially among the Banyarwanda community, vowing to uphold fairness and legality in all immigration procedures.
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Speaking during a press briefing at Naguru Police Headquarters on Monday, Mr. Simon Peter Mundeyi, the spokesperson for the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control (DCIC), reaffirmed the government’s commitment to equal treatment for all Ugandan citizens seeking passports and IDs.
“No Ugandan should be denied their constitutional right to documentation based on ethnicity or region,” Mundeyi stated. “The issuance of passports and national IDs will be done within the bounds of the law, without bias.”
His remarks come in response to growing public concern over long delays and bureaucratic bottlenecks faced by some applicants particularly members of the Banyarwanda community in securing essential travel documents.
Mundeyi referenced an executive order issued by President Yoweri Museveni on January 24, 2025, which directed all state agencies to eliminate any form of discrimination in the processing of citizenship documents. The directive followed multiple complaints of unfair treatment and humiliation, especially among dual nationals and ethnic Banyarwanda Ugandans.
“The President’s message was clear: as long as one is legally Ugandan, their rights to citizenship documents are non-negotiable,” he added.
While emphasizing national loyalty, the President also advised citizens particularly those with ancestral ties to neighboring countries to align themselves with one nationality for clarity in matters of allegiance.
Under Uganda’s existing laws, dual citizenship is permitted, allowing individuals who qualify to retain their Ugandan nationality while holding another. Mundeyi reaffirmed that the legal framework is being respected and upheld by the immigration department.
He also pointed to ongoing regional cooperation under the East African Community, which facilitates freer movement of citizens of Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda using the Inter-State Pass. With a valid national ID, citizens can travel across these borders without needing a passport a major step toward regional integration.
Mundeyi further assured the public that all eligible Ugandans will receive travel and identification documents without undue delay or prejudice, and called on applicants to report any irregularities they encounter in the process.
“We are streamlining the system to be more efficient, transparent, and responsive,” he said. “Our commitment is to serve all Ugandans equally, regardless of background.”
