Immigration opposes dual citizenship for MPs
UGANDANS with dual citizenship should be barred from becoming Members of Parliament (MPs), the National Citizenship and Immigration Board has proposed.
By Joyce Namutebi
UGANDANS with dual citizenship should be barred from becoming Members of Parliament (MPs), the National Citizenship and Immigration Board has proposed.
The chairman, Jotham Tumwesigye, told the parliamentary defence committee yesterday that the amendment should also apply to immigration board members.
“These are very high offices whose holding would require persons who do not hold dual citizenship and members of the board will be the ones to determine the question of dual citizenship,†said Tumwesigye.
Tumwesigye was presenting the board’s proposals on the Uganda Citizenship and Immigration Control (Amendment) Bill, which is currently being examined by the committee chaired by Mathias Kasamba (NRM).
The Bill’s objective is to amend the Uganda Citizenship and Immigration Control Act, Cap 66 to provide for dual citizenship.
It also provides for amendment of provisions relating to loss of Ugandan citizenship by registration or naturalisation, among others.
The Bill in its fifth schedule, proposes offices which a person holding dual citizenship is not qualified to hold.
The offices include that of the President, Vice- President, Prime Minister, cabinet ministers and the Inspector General of Government.
Jane Akwero Odwong, a board member, proposed that the amendment should apply to all elective political offices.
Committee members warned that the proposal is bound to generate debate since some MPs already hold dual citizenship.
The board was asked to return with a harmonised position.
Tumwesigye disclosed that the foreign affairs ministry was responsible for determining who was eligible for a diplomatic passport.
UGANDANS with dual citizenship should be barred from becoming Members of Parliament (MPs), the National Citizenship and Immigration Board has proposed.
The chairman, Jotham Tumwesigye, told the parliamentary defence committee yesterday that the amendment should also apply to immigration board members.
“These are very high offices whose holding would require persons who do not hold dual citizenship and members of the board will be the ones to determine the question of dual citizenship,†said Tumwesigye.
Tumwesigye was presenting the board’s proposals on the Uganda Citizenship and Immigration Control (Amendment) Bill, which is currently being examined by the committee chaired by Mathias Kasamba (NRM).
The Bill’s objective is to amend the Uganda Citizenship and Immigration Control Act, Cap 66 to provide for dual citizenship.
It also provides for amendment of provisions relating to loss of Ugandan citizenship by registration or naturalisation, among others.
The Bill in its fifth schedule, proposes offices which a person holding dual citizenship is not qualified to hold.
The offices include that of the President, Vice- President, Prime Minister, cabinet ministers and the Inspector General of Government.
Jane Akwero Odwong, a board member, proposed that the amendment should apply to all elective political offices.
Committee members warned that the proposal is bound to generate debate since some MPs already hold dual citizenship.
The board was asked to return with a harmonised position.
Tumwesigye disclosed that the foreign affairs ministry was responsible for determining who was eligible for a diplomatic passport.