Parliament has received a citizenship verification report from the Ministry of Internal Affairs that has raised questions about the eligibility of some ministers and ministers of state under Uganda’s dual citizenship laws.
Documents dated May 29 show that the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control conducted the verification following a request from Parliament’s Appointments Committee seeking confirmation of the citizenship status of ministerial nominees.
“Reference is made to your letter no. AP56/234/01 dated May 28, 2026, on verification of citizenship status of ministers and ministers of state,” the document states.
It adds that immigration officials conducted a search of their records and attached findings covering 32 Cabinet ministers and 51 ministers of state.
The report flagged four individuals over citizenship declarations and dual nationality issues.
Among them is Foreign Affairs Minister-designate Adonia Ayebare, who the report indicates holds Ugandan and United States citizenship, with the latter acquired on April 23, 2025.
State Minister for Finance (Microfinance) Shartsi Kutesa Musherure was also listed as holding Ugandan and American citizenship, acquired on March 14, 2025.
The report further noted that Calvin Echodu, nominated for State Minister for Foreign Affairs (International Affairs), had no formal record of dual citizenship on file, although immigration records indicated possession of both Ugandan and American travel documents.
State Minister for Internal Affairs-designate Lawrence Muganga was listed as holding Ugandan, Rwandan and Canadian citizenship, with Ugandan citizenship recorded as having been granted on November 12, 2024.
Uganda’s Constitution permits dual citizenship under Article 15. However, Article 15(7) empowers Parliament to restrict holders of dual nationality from occupying certain public offices.
The Uganda Citizenship and Immigration Control (Amendment) Act, 2009 lists several sensitive state positions that may not be held by dual citizens, including the offices of Prime Minister, Cabinet minister and minister of state.
Speaking to Daily Monitor, Clerk to Parliament Adolf Mwesige confirmed that Parliament received the immigration report and tabled it before the Appointments Committee.
“I received it from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and I presented it before the committee. The committee had directed us to write to the Ministry of Internal Affairs in order to verify the citizenship of the ministers,” Mwesige said.
He declined to comment on the committee’s deliberations or possible actions arising from the findings.
“I cannot disclose what the committee has done. I have no authority to do that. Though, the committee will look at the law and will follow it accordingly,” he said.
The report has renewed debate over whether citizenship verification procedures for senior government officials are sufficiently conducted before ministerial appointments are approved.
Efforts to obtain comment from the Ministry of Internal Affairs spokesperson, Simon Peter Mundeyi, were unsuccessful.
Under Section 19 of the Uganda Citizenship and Immigration Control (Amendment) Act, 2009, a Ugandan citizen seeking citizenship of another country while retaining Ugandan nationality must notify the Uganda Immigration Board in writing and provide details of the foreign citizenship application.
Failure to notify the board attracts a penalty of up to two years’ imprisonment, a fine of Shs3 million, or both upon conviction.
Verified citizenship status of ministers
Cabinet Ministers
NAME – NATIONALITY status / verification findings
Hon. Jessica Rose Epel Alupo (Maj. Rtd) – Ugandan
Hon. Robinah Nabbanja – Ugandan
Rt. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga – Ugandan
Hon. Dr. Crispus Walter Kiyonga – Ugandan
Hon. Lukia Nakadama – Ugandan
Hon. Janet Kataaha Museveni – Ugandan
Hon. Babirye Milly Babalanda – Ugandan
Hon. Jim Muhwezi – Ugandan
Eng. Asiimwe Jonard – Ugandan
Hon. Minsa Kabanda – Ugandan
Hon. Eng. Hillary Onek – Ugandan
Hon. Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero – Ugandan
Hon. Sam Engola – Ugandan
Hon. Lokii John Baptist – Ugandan
Hon. Frank Tumwebaze – Ugandan
Hon. Sam Mayanja – Ugandan
Hon. Kiryowa Kiwanuka – Ugandan
Hon. Dr. Musenero Monica Musanza – Ugandan
Hon. Henry Musasizi – Ugandan
Amb. Adonia Ayebare – Dual Citizen – Ugandan and American obtained on 23rd April, 2025
Hon. Lt. Gen. Tumukunde Henry Kakurugu – Ugandan
Hon. Dr. Chris Baryomunsi – Ugandan
Hon. Justine Kasule Lumumba – Ugandan
Hon. Prof. Kamuntu Ephraim – Ugandan
Hon. Nobert Mao – Ugandan
Hon. Judith Nabakooba – Ugandan
Hon. Balaam Barugahara – Ugandan
Gen. Katumba Wamala – Ugandan
Hon. Tom Butime – Ugandan
Hon. Sanjay Tanna – Ugandan
Maj. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire – Ugandan
Hon. Byamukama Fred – Ugandan
Ministers of State
NAME – NATIONALITY status / verification findings
Hon. Alum Sandra Santa – Ugandan
Hon. Akello Rose – Ugandan
Hon. Mutasingwa Diana Nankunda – Ugandan
Hon. Lillian Aber – Ugandan
Hon. Beatrice Akello – Ugandan
Hon. Anyakun Esther Davinia – Ugandan
Hon. Alice Kaboyo – Ugandan
Hon. Grace Mary Mugasa – Ugandan
Hon. Dr. Ongalo-Obote – Ugandan
Hon. Desire Muhooza – Ugandan
Hon. Rwamirama Bright – Ugandan
Hon. Migadde Robert Ndugwa – Ugandan
Hon. Kafuuzi Jackson – Ugandan
Hon. Akifeza Grace Ngabirano – Ugandan
Hon. Oleru Huda – Ugandan
Hon. Magode Ikuya – Ugandan
Hon. Dr. Muyingo John Chrysostom – Ugandan
Hon. Phyllis Chemutai – Ugandan
Hon. Peter Ogwang – Ugandan
Hon. Okasai Sidronius Opolot – Ugandan
Hon. Phiona Nyamutooro – Ugandan
Hon. Cissy Mulondo – Ugandan
Hon. Amos Lugoloobi – Ugandan
Ms. Amina Mukalazi – Ugandan
Hon. Shartsi Kutesa Musherure – Dual Citizen – Ugandan and American obtained on 14th March, 2025
Hon. Calvin Echodu – No official record of dual citizenship found but holds a American passport number 55498889 and Ugandan Passport.
Hon. Kyeyune Haruna Kasolo – Ugandan
Hon. Kuteesa Mary Kamuli – Ugandan
Hon. Lakisa Mercy Faith – Ugandan
Hon. Simon Mulongo – Ugandan
Hon. Acan Joyce Okeny – Ugandan
Hon. Jacqueline Mbabazi – Ugandan
Hon. Anifa Bangirana Kawooya – Ugandan
Hon. Dr. Ayume Charles – Ugandan
Hon. Joyce Ssebugwawo – Ugandan
Hon. Alioni Yorke Odria – Ugandan
Dr. Lawrence Muganga – Holds citizenship of Rwanda, Canada and Uganda. Uganda Citizenship granted 12th November 2024
Hon. Kabuye Kyofatogabye – Ugandan
Hon. Persis Namuganza – Ugandan
Hon. Margaret Muhanga Mugisa – Ugandan
Hon. Harriet Ntabazi – Ugandan
Hon. Justine Nameere – Ugandan
Hon. Wanyoto Lydia Mutende – Ugandan
Hon. Nakawuki Susan Nsambu – Ugandan
Hon. Tom Aza – Ugandan
Hon. Bahati David – Ugandan
Gen. Wilson Mbadi – Ugandan
Hon. Beatrice Anywar – Ugandan
Hon. Aisha Sekkindi – Ugandan
Mr. Siraji Musa Ali – Ugandan
Hon. Julius Maganda Wandera – Ugandan