By Jako David Waluluka
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has in his new Executive directive order affirmed that it is the prerogative of every Ugandan citizen to have a passport and the freedom to enter and leave the country without restrictions.
“I have consistently received complaints regarding the manner in which passport applicants are treated by the concerned authorities,” he stated.
It orders the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control (DCIC) to follow Section 40 of the Citizenship and Immigration Control Act, which stipulates that a National Identification Number (NIN) and other legally specified documents are sufficient for passport applications. Any additional requirements must be formally published and legally justified.
The order also warns immigration officials against exceeding their mandate when determining citizenship, asserting that citizenship by birth is inherent.
“There must be a presumption of citizenship unless an immigration officer has cogent and reliable evidence that the information submitted by an applicant is false,” Museveni said.
Additionally, DCIC has been prohibited from confiscating or cancelling National Identity Cards issued by the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) without due legal process.
“It is not the mandate of the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control to investigate citizenship by birth. If there is a question about an applicant’s information, DCIC should refer the matter to NIRA,” the President reiterated.
The Executive Order also mandates fair and uniform application of passport and ID requirements, regardless of an applicant’s tribe or ethnicity.
Museveni instructed that applicants who provide supporting letters from local authorities, including Local Council leaders and Resident District Commissioners, should receive their documents without unnecessary delays.
“If an applicant’s request is supported by a letter from local authorities (and corroboration by notable elders where necessary), they should be promptly issued a national ID or passport,” he directed.
It also states of a legal gap concerning the citizenship status of children born to registered or naturalized Ugandan citizens.
“Currently, the law does not grant automatic citizenship to children of citizens by birth (registration) or naturalization. A citizen produces a citizen,” he noted, directing the Minister of Internal Affairs and the Attorney General to address the matter.
This latest order comes just after Museveni , signed a similar one on January 23, after a group led by the Banyarwanda leaning community petitioned him over degrading procedures many passport applicants of that group were unfairly treated to.
This directive which specifically prohibited DCIC from confiscating or cancelling National Identity Cards issued by NIRA without legal background , is a win for many a Ugandan citizen that has been humiliated by the said process
