Ugandans in UK urged on dual citizenship

Uganda High Commissioner to UK, Prof. Joyce Kikafunda (second left) with other Ugandans.

The Uganda High Commissioner to UK, Prof. Joyce Kikafunda has called upon Ugandans in the diaspora to lobby the Ugandan government to acquire dual citizenship.

"I understand in Kenya, there was also a big fee like this and the Kenyans in the diaspora lobbied their government and this was removed," said Kikafunda.

She said that much as in Uganda the law requires to pay $400, this can be only be changed through lobbying to have the fee reduced.

"I don't think it can be removed but can be reduced," she added.

She was speaking at a monthly special Luganda service at the Church of the Ascension Hulme in Manchester.

This was in response to uproar and questioning of the $400 required as mandatory fee for Ugandans holding other countries passports to process their dual citizenship.

Kikafunda said holding two passports of different countries, one being Uganda is illegal at the moment but until the dual citizenship law has been implemented, no one will be prosecuted for that.

The envoy said much as duo citizens can own property including land, property on lease and own private business, British passport owners of Ugandan origin cannot own Mailo or Free hold unless they have received dual citizenship.

She appealed to Ugandans who renew their passports to always photocopy page 45 which has their reference in addition to the usual bio date page to make it easy for the original file to be identified in case of loss of a passport.

The service was led by the Vicar of St. Jude and Aidan Thornton heath London Rev. Nathan Ntege who appealed to the congregation to re-examine themselves as to whether they have attained independence at a personal level reasoning that a country's independence can never be meaningful without liberated citizens both in the mind and economic terms.

Others in attendance were the leaders of Uganda Community in Greater Manchester (UCOMM) led by the Chairperson Hajat Rehema Nnabukeera Kawooya and the treasurer Allan Ssemanda. After the service, the High Commissioner cut a ceremonial cake made in Ugandan colours, followed by a traditional meal in the Church Hall after the service.