What Is Dual Citizenship?
In Uganda, dual citizenship means the simultaneous possession of two citizenship’s of which one is Uganda. The possession of a third citizenship disqualifies one from holding or being a dual national of Uganda unless the third citizenship is renounced.
How To Apply For Dual Citizenship In Uganda
Dual citizenship was prohibited in Uganda by Article 15 of the Constitution. Article 15 was amended by constitutional amendment No . Pursuant to which the Uganda Citizenship and Immigration Control (Amendments) Act 2009 was enacted providing for dual citizenship in Uganda. The amendment was passed following the realization that Ugandans in the Diaspora make enormous contribution to the economic and socio-development of Uganda and the Government’s need to:
i. Enable Ugandans in the Diaspora maintain linkages with their roots without any legal hindrances
ii. Attract potential investors
iii. Reap advantages that accrue from the grant of dual citizenship.
Conditions for dual citizenship are detailed in the Uganda Citizenship and Immigration Control (Amendment) Act 2009. All Ugandans who lost their Ugandan citizenship prior to 2009 by way of obtaining citizenship of another country can now reacquire their former Ugandan citizenship. Ugandans who desire to acquire citizenship of another country can also do so without losing their Ugandan citizenship. A citizen of Uganda of eighteen years and above who voluntarily acquires citizenship of another country may retain the citizenship of Uganda subject to the Constitution (of Uganda), the Citizenship and Immigration Act, and any law enacted by Parliament. A person who is not a citizen of Uganda may, on acquiring the citizenship of Uganda, subject to the Constitution, the Citizenship and Immigration Act and any other law enacted by Parliament, retain the citizenship of another country.
Who Qualifies To Hold Dual Citizenship In Uganda?
i. Any person holding Uganda citizenship and seeks citizenship of another country that allows dual citizenship and also fulfills the requirements for dual nationality OR
ii. Any person who holds a citizenship of a country that permits dual nationality and also seeks Uganda citizenship and satisfies the requirements for grant of dual citizenship.
Procedures For Retaining The Citizenship Of Uganda When One Acquires Citizenship Of Another?
i. A citizen of Uganda who desires to acquire the citizenship of another country while retaining his/her citizenship of Uganda shall give notice in writing to the National Citizenship and Immigration Board of his or her application for the citizenship of another country
ii. The notice above shall be in the prescribed form and shall be accompanied by:
a. A statutory declaration stating that he or she is a citizen of Uganda only where the person is a citizen of Uganda and another country, a declaration of renunciation of the Citizenship of the third country evidence that the applicant is of or above eighteen years of age.
b. A copy of the application for citizenship of that other country.
c. Any other relevant information
Offices In Uganda Which Can Not Be Held By A Dual Citizen
a) President of Uganda
b) Vice President
c) Prime Minister
d) Cabinet Minister and other Ministers
e) Inspector General and the Deputy Inspector General of Government
f) Technical Head of the armed forces
g) Technical heads of Branches of the armed forces
h) Commanding Officers of armed forces units of at least battalion strength
i) Officers responsible for heading departments responsible for records, personnel and logistics in all branches of the armed forces
j) Inspector General of Police and Deputy Inspector General of Police
k) Heads and Deputy Heads of National Security and Intelligence Organizations,(ESO, ISO & CMI)
l) Member of the National Citizenship and Immigration Board
Summary Check List For Dual Citizenship
a) Duly completed dual citizenship application form and have it commissioned or Notarized by a High Court Judge or Notary Public.
b) Cover letter addressed to the secretary of the National citizenship and Immigration Board
c) Letter of good conduct from the home country or Interpol.
d) Proof that the applicant has been granted citizenship by registration ( only applicable to foreigners who have been granted Ugandan Citizenship by Registration).
e) Evidence that the second country other than Uganda allows dual citizenship (e.g. letter from immigration authority or High Commission or consulate of that other country or copy of the provisions of laws permitting dual citizenship of that other country ).
f) Two (2) recent Passport size photos of applicant.
g) Evidence that the applicant or his/her parents or grandparents have ever resided in Uganda for at least ten years.
h) Medical report of sanity of the applicant.
i) Proof that the applicant is above 18 years of age e.g.birth certificate.
j) Evidence that the applicant has adequate knowledge of English, Swahili or
k) Evidence that the applicant was formerly a Ugandan (only applicable to Ugandans in the Diaspora )
What Is The Easiest Way To Get Dual Citizenship?
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Dual citizenship is when a person is a legal citizen of two countries. The most common ways to get dual citizenship is through ancestry, marriage, and naturalization.
What Documents Do I Need For Dual Citizenship?
You’ll need your foreign birth certificate (translated if necessary), proof of citizenship for your parent(s), your parents’ marriage certificate (if applicable) and an affidavit showing all of the places your Uganda citizen parent lived before you were born, both in the Uganda and abroad, and how long he or she lived in each country.
How Much Does It Cost To Get Dual Citizenship?
You will need to pay a total of Ugx 5437.50 for these two services – Ugx 4800.00 form and Ugx 637.50 for the biometric services fee. The whole payment can be made at once through different means which include money order, cashier’s check, or personal check.
How Long Is The Dual Citizenship Process?
It takes on average between 6 and 9 months for Uganda Citizenship and Immigration Services to adjudicate a properly submitted application. By statute, the government has 120 days from the date of the interview to adjudicate a naturalization application.