Requirements To Become A Citizen In Uganda
Citizenship by birth
Citizenship by birth is defined under Article 11 of Uganda’s Constitution, and section 12 of the Uganda Citizenship and Immigration Control Act (the ‘Act’).
Three categories of persons qualify to be citizens of Uganda by birth.
The first are persons born in Uganda but one of their parents or grandparents is or was a member of any of the indigenous communities existing and residing within the borders of Uganda as at the first day of February 1926, and set out in the Third Schedule and there are 56 in number (Article 10(a)).
The second category comprises those persons born in or outside Uganda but one of their parents or grandparents was, at the time of birth of that person, a citizen of Uganda by birth.
Procedure for acquiring citizenship by birth
The procedures under this category focus mainly on adoption. Section 13(3) of the Act provides the procedure for registration as a citizen in the case of an adopted child under 18 years by a citizen to be prescribed by regulations.
Therefore, the 2009 Uganda Citizenship Regulations (the ‘Regulations’) provide for the notification of citizenship of an adopted child.
The Regulations require a citizen who has adopted a child under the age of 18, neither of whose parents is a citizen of Uganda, to notify the Board of the adoption and this notification may be made whether the adoption order for the foreign child was made in Uganda or elsewhere.
This notification under the Regulations is described as Form A in the Second Schedule. Under regulation 3(3), the completed form should contain a photograph of the child, their name and that of the adopter.
Citizenship is by registration
The second category of citizenship is by registration. This has five means through which citizenship can be attained under Article 12 of the Constitution. The first is for every person born in Uganda, who at the time of their birth, their parents or grandparents had no diplomatic status in Uganda or had a refugee status in Uganda.
Citizenship by registration also applies to those persons who have continuously lived in Uganda since 9 October 1962, which is the date when Uganda gained independence. These shall, on application, be entitled to be registered as a citizen of Uganda. A number of other persons are also allowed to be citizens on application.
Procedure of acquiring citizenship by registration
Citizenship by registration in Uganda is acquired through completing an application which is submitted to the Secretary to the Board which issues a certificate of registration as citizenship if satisfied that the prescribed conditions have been met.
Regulation 5(1) of the Regulations provides that an application for citizenship by registration under section 14, chapter 66 of the Act shall be, described as Forms B and C of the Second Schedule.
Under the stated forms the applicant is required to sign or mark the form but where the applicant is a child, the application shall be signed or marked by the child’s parents or guardians.
The applicant under the form states that they are ordinarily resident in Uganda and have been so for a period of at least 20 years, describe their good character and adequate knowledge of English/the prescribed vernacular language.
The applicant is also required to specify particulars such as their date and place of birth, and evidence of citizenship of a Commonwealth country, or the Republic of Ireland or a declared African state. In addition, they must also provide evidence of previous residence in Uganda, criminal records, and a certificate of sponsors.
It should be noted that the regulations specify who can be a sponsor and this includes advocates amongst others. Lastly the applicant must also make a declaration.
Citizenship by naturalisation
The third category is citizenship by naturalisation.
Procedure of acquiring citizenship by naturalisation
Similar to citizenship by registration, citizenship by naturalisation is also acquired by making application under section 16 of the Act, described as Form D, which also is submitted to the Secretary to the Board. If satisfied that the conditions under the Act have been met, the Board will issue a certificate naturalisation.
Under the application form the applicant states that they have resided in Uganda for a continuous period of 24 months immediately prior to the date of application and that they have resided in Uganda for periods amounting to not less than 20 years.
The applicant also describes, among other things, their character, financial solvency, knowledge of English and a local language and their intention to continue to reside in Uganda if application is granted.
The applicant is further required to state their date and place of birth, nationality of birth, nationality at time of application (if different), their address in Uganda, occupation, marital status, parents’ full names and address(es), date of any previous application for naturalisation and changes in original name and nationality changes since birth.
If the applicant has no nationality they are required to indicate circumstances in which they lost their previous nationality.
Dual citizenship
The 1995 Constitution as amended in 2005 allows both Ugandans and non-Ugandans to acquire dual citizenship. The Act amended in 2009 defines dual citizenship under section 2 as ‘the simultaneous possession of two citizenships, one of which is Ugandan’.
Under Article 15(6) of the Constitution and section 19 of the Act, a citizen of Uganda of 18 years and above, who voluntarily acquires the citizenship of a country other than Uganda, may retain the citizenship of Uganda.
Further, a person who is not a citizen of Uganda may, on acquiring the citizenship of Uganda, subject to the Constitution and any law enacted by parliament, retain the citizenship of another country.
Under section 19D of the Act, prohibitions for persons with dual citizenship to hold certain offices of state is prescribed.
These include among others, the presidency and vice presidency, prime minister, cabinet and other ministers, inspector general and the deputy inspector general of government, security-related offices and membership of the National Citizenship and Immigration Board.
Procedure for acquiring dual citizenship
Under section 19C, a person applying for dual citizenship shall, before being registered, satisfy the Board that they: are not engaged in espionage against Uganda; have not served in the voluntary service of the armed forces or security forces of a country hostile to or at war with Uganda; and have not attempted to acquire Ugandan citizenship by fraud, deceit or bribery or by intentional or otherwise deliberate false statements in an application for citizenship.
They are further required to show that they have: no criminal record; dual citizenship is permitted by their country of origin; are over 18 years of age at application, and of sound mind; do not hold more than one citizenship; and that they are not an undischarged bankrupt or insolvent.
Under Section 19A, a citizen of Uganda who desires to acquire the citizenship of another country while retaining their citizenship of Uganda is required to give notice in writing to the Board of their application for the citizenship of another country.
How can I get permanent residency in Uganda?
Procedure
Applicant to be granted a certificate of permanent residence must be registered at the Directorate of Citizenship and migration.
Applicant must fill the form and attach documents which show ten (10) years of legal and uninterrupted residence which shall entitle that person to remain in Uganda for such period as is stipulated in the certificate.
Submit the application form with the attached documents to the officer at the directorate of citizenship and migration.
The directorate of citizenship and immigration shall review the application submitted and prove that the applicant:-
has contributed to the socioeconomic or intellectual development of Uganda;
has continuously lived legally in Uganda for ten years;
is of good character and of proven integrity;
has not defaulted in the payment of any taxes required to be paid by him or her; and
has no criminal antecedents in Uganda or outside Uganda; and (in addition to the above)is not a bankrupt or destitute; or
he or she is legally married to a Ugandan citizen and there is a subsisting marriage of three years or such other period as may be prescribed.
If the board is satisfied with the documents and requirements, a certificate of permanent residence may be granted to the applicant which shall entitle that person to remain in Uganda for such period as is stipulated in the certificate.
Required Documents
3 passport size photos
Copy of passport
Copy of spouse
Covering letter
Fill form
LC1 recommendation letter
Marriage certificate copy ( at least 3yrs )
Medical report
Proof of ownership of property ( if any )
Covering letter from applicant
Proof of contribution to socio-economic/intellectual development of Uganda
Office Locations & Contacts
Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control
Head Office
Head Office, Plot 75 Jinja Road
P. O. Box 7165 / 7191 Kampala, Uganda
Tel: +256 414 595945
Email Address: info@mia.go.ug Email this Agency