By Kampala, Uganda– The Ministry of Internal Affairs has addressed the criteria and procedures for issuing Ugandan citizenship and identification documents, responding to concerns from the Council for Abavandimwe. These concerns stem from persistent complaints by the Banyarwanda community in Uganda, alleging discrimination in obtaining national identity cards (IDs) and passports.
Mundeyi Simon Peter, spokesperson for the Ministry of Internal Affairs, emphasized the legal framework guiding citizenship acquisition in Uganda. “According to Chapter 3 of the 1995 Constitution of Uganda, citizenship by birth requires individuals to have ancestral ties to one of Uganda’s indigenous communities listed in the Third Schedule of the constitution as of February 1926,” he explained.
Regarding citizenship by naturalisation, Mundeyi added, “Applicants must demonstrate a significant period of residence in Uganda, proficiency in a designated Ugandan language or English, and a clean criminal record, among other requirements.”
Frank Gashumba, Chairman of the Council for Abavandimwe, representing Banyarwanda natives born and raised in Uganda, raised concerns in April about alleged discrimination faced by the Banyarwanda community. “Thousands of Ugandans are being denied National Identification Cards and passports,” he said while presenting a petition to Speaker of Parliament Anita Among. Gashumba highlighted the frustration within the community, stating, “When you are denied a national ID, you are economically crippled.”
In response, Mundeyi clarified that the Ministry’s procedures aim to uphold national security and the integrity of Uganda’s travel documents. He emphasized that the denial of IDs and passports is not based on ethnic discrimination but on adherence to legal requirements to safeguard Uganda’s citizenship and immigration controls.
The Ministry acknowledged instances where IDs and passports have been confiscated from individuals attempting to cross border points such as Katuna and Kagitumba. These actions are part of efforts to combat fraudulent attempts by non-Ugandans seeking citizenship through illegal means.
Mundeyi provided an example of Sam Nkubito, who was found with an illegal Ugandan National ID and attempted to have his biometrics taken for a passport on July 9, 2024. “Our systems flagged his travel history, as he used his Rwandan National ID to enter Uganda. Investigations are underway to determine why he was attempting to obtain a Ugandan passport illegally, circumventing the necessary criteria for citizenship,” he said. Mundeyi also noted that criminal organizations train non-Ugandans to falsely claim Ugandan citizenship to obtain travel documents, often to engage in extremist activities.
Mundeyi encouraged affected individuals to seek redress through official channels if they believe their applications have been mishandled. He cautioned against misinformation and advised the public to rely on credible sources for information regarding citizenship laws and procedures.
