Dual Citizenship Prospect Excites Ugandans Abroad
THERE is considerable optimism among Ugandans living abroad following the release of Sempebwa’s Report, which recommends dual citizenship for those holding the citizenship in another country.
By Opiyo Oloya
THERE is considerable optimism among Ugandans living abroad following the release of Sempebwa’s Report, which recommends dual citizenship for those holding the citizenship in another country. Currently only South Africa, Ghana and Egypt have the provision for dual citizenship written in their constitutions. In the amended Citizenship Act (Act 88 of 1995), a South African is allowed to retain his or her South African citizenship when becoming the citizen of another country. Meanwhile, with an estimated 1.5 million Ghanaians living abroad and contributing as much as $400 million to the national coffers annually, Ghana officially launched the Dual Citizenship Regulation Act on July 3, 2002. The only other African countries that informally allow dual citizenship are Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Lesotho, Nigeria and Morocco.
Naturally, the news of Sempebwa’s report was greeted with a considerable sense of relief. Here is a sample of what Ugandans living abroad said about the likelihood of dual citizenship.
“The news of the dual citizenship provision will galvanise and motivate Ugandans in the Diaspora in a way that will yield positive results on the country’s economy. It will also intensify bilateral relations and allow Ugandans in the Diaspora and foreign investors to contribute in the development process of Uganda. Many Ugandans abroad felt hampered and frustrated by the absence of this provision in our Constitution, because it made them feel insecure economically. For example, when I decided to return to Uganda in
1987, I forfeited my British citizenship which I had acquired through the process of naturalisation, having lived in Britain for a long time. With my British citizenship, I was able to qualify for a joint British Business Grant from my Borough of Residence and the British Chamber of Commerce to start my company ‘Mamba International Holdings’. It was through this company that I managed to expand, and set up The BNK Company Ltd, among other business ventures in Uganda in 1987.â€--Ms. Beatrice Kasozi-Batende Bakojja, London - United Kingdom
“If dual citizenship is actually going to happen this is definitely exciting news. As someone who was born in Uganda but raised in the United States, I have always had a fond connection with my homeland. It further excites me because my children who were born here will have the opportunity to be citizens of their parents’ homeland. If this report is true, it will bridge a gap for Ugandans living in the Diaspora and create credibility for the government. Maybe the next step will be voting in the upcoming elections…†Nampeera L. Kayondo, Boston, Massachusettes, USA
“I have always looked at this issue, bearing in mind, our children and grandchildren. When these offspring get to be Ugandan citizens, they will maintain a high sense of belonging. I have always thought of a situation where one Ugandan offspring becomes very successful (billionaire, political leader, academic, etc) and wants to help people in developing countries or donate something big or do a great project. If such a person has a Ugandan citizenship, I am sure he or she will think about Uganda first before thinking about any other countryâ€-Edgar Mutungi, Toronto, Canada.
“I came to Canada in 1974 to study and remained on to escape Amin’s regime. I retained the desire to return to Uganda and didn’t become a Canadian citizen until 1981 because of it. Finally I gave up because Uganda kept descending further into hell; all we could do was pray for the people. In the meantime my children were born here and naturally developed their first allegiance to Canada… But there is no question of the pull of Uganda. It (dual citizenship) will provide me with the impetuous to play a more active part in giving back to the country of my birthâ€--John Nazareth, Toronto, Canada.
However, as Toronto resident Annie Kakooza Lwanga put it, “dual citizenship would certainly be a welcome move if it could be implemented — the ball is in government’s corner now.
Ends
THERE is considerable optimism among Ugandans living abroad following the release of Sempebwa’s Report, which recommends dual citizenship for those holding the citizenship in another country. Currently only South Africa, Ghana and Egypt have the provision for dual citizenship written in their constitutions. In the amended Citizenship Act (Act 88 of 1995), a South African is allowed to retain his or her South African citizenship when becoming the citizen of another country. Meanwhile, with an estimated 1.5 million Ghanaians living abroad and contributing as much as $400 million to the national coffers annually, Ghana officially launched the Dual Citizenship Regulation Act on July 3, 2002. The only other African countries that informally allow dual citizenship are Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Lesotho, Nigeria and Morocco.
Naturally, the news of Sempebwa’s report was greeted with a considerable sense of relief. Here is a sample of what Ugandans living abroad said about the likelihood of dual citizenship.
“The news of the dual citizenship provision will galvanise and motivate Ugandans in the Diaspora in a way that will yield positive results on the country’s economy. It will also intensify bilateral relations and allow Ugandans in the Diaspora and foreign investors to contribute in the development process of Uganda. Many Ugandans abroad felt hampered and frustrated by the absence of this provision in our Constitution, because it made them feel insecure economically. For example, when I decided to return to Uganda in
1987, I forfeited my British citizenship which I had acquired through the process of naturalisation, having lived in Britain for a long time. With my British citizenship, I was able to qualify for a joint British Business Grant from my Borough of Residence and the British Chamber of Commerce to start my company ‘Mamba International Holdings’. It was through this company that I managed to expand, and set up The BNK Company Ltd, among other business ventures in Uganda in 1987.â€--Ms. Beatrice Kasozi-Batende Bakojja, London - United Kingdom
“If dual citizenship is actually going to happen this is definitely exciting news. As someone who was born in Uganda but raised in the United States, I have always had a fond connection with my homeland. It further excites me because my children who were born here will have the opportunity to be citizens of their parents’ homeland. If this report is true, it will bridge a gap for Ugandans living in the Diaspora and create credibility for the government. Maybe the next step will be voting in the upcoming elections…†Nampeera L. Kayondo, Boston, Massachusettes, USA
“I have always looked at this issue, bearing in mind, our children and grandchildren. When these offspring get to be Ugandan citizens, they will maintain a high sense of belonging. I have always thought of a situation where one Ugandan offspring becomes very successful (billionaire, political leader, academic, etc) and wants to help people in developing countries or donate something big or do a great project. If such a person has a Ugandan citizenship, I am sure he or she will think about Uganda first before thinking about any other countryâ€-Edgar Mutungi, Toronto, Canada.
“I came to Canada in 1974 to study and remained on to escape Amin’s regime. I retained the desire to return to Uganda and didn’t become a Canadian citizen until 1981 because of it. Finally I gave up because Uganda kept descending further into hell; all we could do was pray for the people. In the meantime my children were born here and naturally developed their first allegiance to Canada… But there is no question of the pull of Uganda. It (dual citizenship) will provide me with the impetuous to play a more active part in giving back to the country of my birthâ€--John Nazareth, Toronto, Canada.
However, as Toronto resident Annie Kakooza Lwanga put it, “dual citizenship would certainly be a welcome move if it could be implemented — the ball is in government’s corner now.
Ends