Museveni wants dual citizenship

President Yoweri Museveni yesterday called for dual citizenship and proxy voting to enable Ugandans in the diaspora retain their true identities, reports Richard Mutumba. He also urged Ugandans in the diaspora to assist find jobs for the unemployed Ugandans at home. Museveni was opening the Uganda - North American Association Convention at the Nile Hotel International Conference Centre in Kampala. More than 200 delegates are attending the four-day meeting. "For us, the employment of Ugandans abroad is good enough. I would, therefore, like to implore those of you in the diaspora in a position to employ or to find employment for your unemployed Ugandans to do so," he said. "There must be employment opportunities out there which you are aware of and for which our people are qualified. Help them to seize those jobs," Museveni said. He said the Government would appreciate whatever work could be got abroad for Ugandans. He said in the 1999/2000 financial year, Ugandans abroad contributed an estimated US$500m, overtaking coffee earnings. On dual citizenship, Museveni said he knew that due to family obligations and the exigencies of employment and career development, Ugandans sometimes needed to become citizens of those countries where they resided. "In my 2001 election manifesto, we have proposed a review of our Constitution. I urge you to send memoranda on this and other issues once the review is underway," he said. Museveni said dual citizenship and proxy voting should be considered so that Ugandans could retain their true identities and participate in the basic duties of citizens. He challenged Ugandans in the diaspora to retain and create an identity for themselves. "There are cultural items which you should not part with through the generations like names," he said. Citing Kunta Kinte in the movie 'Roots,' Museveni reminded Ugandans that they could retain their authentic names and be good Americans at the same time. He asked them to retain Ugandan languages, costumes, dance and music and to pass them on to their children. Museveni admitted that the Movement government might have made some mistakes along the way, "but let no one doubt our patriotism and desire to see Uganda emerge as a peaceful, democratic and prosperous country." Addressing the convention earlier on the topic 'Once a Ugandan- Always a Ugandan', Dr. Muniini Mulera from Toronto, Canada, called on government to amend Article 15 of the Constitution, to allow dual citizenship. Fifteen African countries recognise dual citizenship. He said Ugandans abroad wield enormous influence in financial institutions, journalism, business, academia, industry, medicine, law and other professions. "It is estimated that 100,000 Ugandans live in Canada and USA, with a collective income upwards of US$1b every year," he said. Ends.