Sanjay Tanna denies dual citizenship, pledges stronger trade

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Minister-designate for Trade, Industry and Cooperatives Sanjay Tanna has dismissed queries over dual citizenship and pledged to strengthen Uganda’s trade, industrial growth and cooperative sector.

Appearing before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Monday, June 1, 2026, Tanna said he holds only Ugandan citizenship. He was responding to concerns raised during his vetting.

Tanna told members of the Uganda Parliamentary Press Association after the meeting: “They raised the issue of dual citizenship and I told them that I am not a dual citizenship holder. I hold only Ugandan citizenship, and I have never held any other citizenship before,” he said.

Tanna said his focus, if approved, will be to improve trade within Uganda and internationally, strengthen the industrial sector, and enhance the welfare of workers.

He outlined a three-pronged approach linking production, processing and markets through cooperatives. “Production must be processed by industries, and those industries must then engage in both local and international trade,” he said.

He pledged to work closely with stakeholders and accept guidance from colleagues to improve sector performance. “I pledged to work together with them and accept advice from colleagues to the best of my ability,” Tanna said.

Tanna, a former two-term Member of Parliament for Tororo Municipality, said his priority remains serving Ugandans. “Primarily, my objective is to serve the people of Uganda and the people of Tororo,” he noted.

Tanna replaces former Trade Minister Francis Mwebesa. His nomination comes as Parliament vets 81 presidential appointees for ministerial positions.

The 12th parliament will have two Ugandans of Asian descent sitting in the August House, one as an MP and the other by way of being an ex-officio minister, if the committee okays the nomination of Tanna. The two are relatives. They are Tanna and his nephew, Shyam Jay Tanna, the newly sworn-in MP for Tororo Municipality.