Dual citizenship row derails Dr Muganga ministerial appointment

Parliament’s Appointments Committee has confirmed 80 of the 82 individuals nominated by President Yoweri Museveni for various ministerial positions.

Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa announced the development on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at Parliament, shortly after the conclusion of the two-day vetting exercise.

“One is still pending, because he has not yet appeared before the committee. Another one we found issues which we are going to communicate to the appointing authority to look into. And then the appointing authority will take the final decision,” Tayebwa stated.

The law

Under Rule 177 of Parliament’s Rules of Procedure issued in April last year, the Speaker, who also chairs the Appointments Committee, is required to communicate the committee’s decision on any presidential nominee to the President in writing within three working days.

Where a nominee is rejected by the committee, Rule 178 allows the President to appeal to Parliament for a final determination on the matter.

Source of contention

According to a ruling party MP from Eastern Uganda who spoke on condition of anonymity, the issue affecting one of the nominees arose from alleged possession of dual citizenship.

He said this offends Section 19D and the Fifth Schedule of the Uganda Citizenship and Immigration Control (Amendment) Act, 2009.

The law prohibits dual citizens from occupying certain sensitive public offices on grounds of national sovereignty and security.

These offices include that of the President, Vice President, Prime Minister, Cabinet ministers, Inspector General and Deputy Inspector General of Government, senior technical officers in the Armed Forces, commanding officers of at least battalion strength, heads of departments responsible for records, personnel and logistics in the armed forces, Inspector General and Deputy Inspector General of Police, heads of national security and intelligence agencies (ESO, ISO and CMI), and members of the National Citizenship and Immigration Board.

Prior concerns had been raised publicly regarding Trade Minister-designate Sanjay Tanna, State Minister for Foreign Affairs-designate Calvin Echodu and State Minister for Internal Affairs-designate Dr Lawrence Muganga.

However, according to the MP, during committee deliberations, it was later established that one of the nominees who had initially come under scrutiny had already renounced their foreign citizenship on Monday, June 1 this year.

Dr Lawrence Muganga, on the other hand, who is understood to have previously held Canadian citizenship, which he does not shy away from, had not completed the necessary process.

This, it is said, compelled the committee to take the difficult decision and withhold his nomination.

Even then, affected nominees reportedly stated that they had renounced their foreign citizenship. Speaking off record, another lawmaker from the ruling party alleged that Leader of the Opposition (LOP) Joel Ssenyonyi insisted on documentary proof of the renunciations.

Muganga speaks out

Asked whether the issue of citizenship featured in the discussions, Muganga initially declined to disclose details of the closed-door meeting. However, he later addressed the matter publicly, seeking to clarify his citizenship status and refute claims surrounding it.

“Before I came here, I definitely had two citizenships; that is, the Ugandan and Canadian citizenship. Like every young person who really aspires to do better, you leave this country and go to different countries, trying to work there, get some money, and help the people you left back home. Your brothers, sisters, your parents and even friends,” Muganga disclosed.

He said this is not unique to him but a common experience among many Ugandan youths today.

“So, that is me, but so many Ugandans do that. And as I speak right now, there are some who are at the airport leaving the country. Before you know, they will have citizenships of other countries. But that does not take away one’s love for the country. I am Ugandan. God has given me life, but I don’t think I will leave permanently. When I die, I will also be buried here in Uganda, closer to my parents who are resting in Seeta, Mukono, in Gwaffu village,” Muganga pointed out.

Asked whether he was considering renouncing his citizenship, he said the option remains open.

“I mean, who says that can’t happen. There is no better country than Uganda. Before I became Canadian, I was Ugandan, and I am proud to be Ugandan, and I love my country. So, even if I remained with one citizenship, and it is Uganda, I would be very proud,” Muganga retorted.

Calvin Echodu declined to comment, citing the secrecy rules that govern such deliberations.

“We have had a very good vetting, and the committee is still deciding. No comment,” Echodu told New Vision.