President Issues Executive Order to Address Passport and Citizenship Concerns for Banyarwanda Community

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has issued an Executive Order aimed at addressing longstanding concerns about the process of issuing passports and verifying Ugandan citizenship.

The directive, issued under Article 99 (1) and (4) of the 1995 Constitution, outlines legal and administrative reforms to ensure fairness and dignity for all applicants seeking passports or identity documents.

The President revealed that the order was prompted by persistent complaints from citizens, particularly from the Banyarwanda community, regarding alleged mistreatment during the application process. In his remarks, Museveni reiterated his commitment to ensuring the rights of all Ugandans are respected.

President Museveni’s order calls for fair, consistent, and legally sound procedures for all Ugandans, with a specific focus on the Banyarwanda community.

The Banyarwanda, a group of ethnic Rwandans who have settled in Uganda over several decades, have often faced challenges in proving their citizenship, particularly when applying for travel documents such as passports. These difficulties, exacerbated by bureaucratic procedures and questions about their citizenship status, have led to widespread complaints from members of the community.

“I have consistently received complaints regarding the manner in which people applying for passports are sometimes treated by the concerned authorities. This mainly relates to how the question of whether or not an applicant is a citizen of Uganda is approached, when he or she has applied for a passport. The issue of citizenship was resolved under Chapter 3 of the 1995 Constitution. It provides for the following types of citizenship, Citizenship by Birth, Citizenship by Registration and Citizenship by Naturalization.” He states

The President’s directive, issued on January 24, 2025, directly addresses these issues, reinforcing that every Ugandan citizen has the right to a passport and the ability to enter, leave, and return to Uganda. The new directive clarifies that immigration officers must adhere strictly to the provisions outlined in the 1995 Constitution, which recognizes citizenship by birth, registration, and naturalization.

“Every Ugandan citizen has a right to a passport or other travel documents,” the President’s Executive Order states, adding that the challenge lies not in the law itself but in its administration.

The order directs immigration officials to treat applicants with dignity and to avoid imposing extra-legal requirements when verifying citizenship, particularly for those claiming citizenship by birth.

“Officials of the Directorate of the Citizenship and Immigration Control should address themselves to the provisions of Section 40 of the Citizenship and Immigration Control Act, Cap. 313 which only requires a person to produce his or her National Identification Number (NIN) and to comply with any other requirements prescribed by the Board. Where there are other requirements by the Board, they must be published, known and based on
the law.” He notes

This directive comes as a response to the difficulties experienced by the Banyarwanda community, many of whom have historically faced additional scrutiny when seeking identification documents. The Banyarwanda, who have made Uganda their home for generations, have often been subjected to extra verification measures when applying for passports, due to their ethnic origins and migration history. The Executive Order now mandates that immigration officers must presume applicants are citizens unless there is clear and reliable evidence to the contrary.

“It is the duty of the immigration officer to provide evidence that an applicant’s citizenship claim is inaccurate,” the President emphasized in the order, stressing that the burden of proof should not fall on the applicant.

The President’s directive outlines alternative means of verifying an applicant’s citizenship, including using statutory declarations by relatives under oath. This provision is crucial for those in marginalized communities who may lack the standard documents needed for formal citizenship recognition.

“The documents required for the purpose of registering an applicant by NIRA are as prescribed in the relevant law. These are, birth certificate, voters’ card, driving permit, baptism certificate etc. where an applicant is unable to produce any of these documents, a relative of the applicant may identify the applicant under oath through statutory declaration as permitted under the law.”he states further

Local authorities are also given a role in assisting the verification process. According to the order, applicants can be supported by letters from local council leaders, elders, and district security officers, which should facilitate quicker issuance of passports or national IDs.

“The requirements for acquisition of passports or other identification documents must apply to all applicants equally, regardless of tribe, ethnicity or community. If the applicant’s application is supported by a letter from the local authorities (and corroboration by notable elders, where necessary), the applicant should be promptly issued with a national identification card or passport. The local authorities, in this case, are the chairperson local council I, the chairperson local council III, the Gombolola Internal Security Officer and the Resident District Commissioner. If in future it is proved that a person issued an identification document or passport is not a citizen, the National Identity Card or passport can be cancelled.”

Another critical element of the directive addresses the current legal gap concerning children of citizens by naturalization and those born to citizens by birth. Under existing laws, such children do not automatically acquire Ugandan citizenship. The President has directed that this anomaly be corrected, ensuring that all Ugandans, including children born to citizens, are granted full citizenship rights.

The new directive, which aims to simplify the passport application process and remove any discriminatory practices, marks a significant step toward achieving equality and justice for the Banyarwanda community and other marginalized groups.

“Presently, the law does not accord automatic citizenship to children of citizens by birth and by naturalization. A citizen produces a citizen. The Minister of Internal Affairs and the Attorney General are directed to immediately have this anomaly addressed.” he said

The President has also emphasized that the Immigration Directorate should no longer confiscate or cancel National Identity Cards issued by the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) without following due process. This ensures that citizens, including those from the Banyarwanda community, are protected against unjust actions and have the right to challenge any discrepancies in their documentation.

“The Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control should not confiscate or cancel National Identity Cards issued by NIRA without following due process prescribed by law. Mindful of every person’s right to be heard and the right to access services, an immigration officer’s first option should be to have any anomalies identified in the particulars of an applicant addressed by NIRA.” he asserts

President Museveni’s Executive Order seeks to bring clarity, fairness, and accountability to the passport application process. The reforms are expected to ease bureaucratic bottlenecks and ensure that no Ugandan is unfairly denied their constitutional rights.

As the order takes effect, the implementation by immigration officials and local authorities will be closely monitored to ensure compliance and to address any further concerns raised by the public.