Ugandan President Issues Executive Order to Streamline Citizenship and Passport Issuance Processes for All Citizens, Including Banyarwanda

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has issued a landmark Executive Order aimed at addressing inefficiencies and administrative hurdles in the issuance of passports and identification documents to Ugandan citizens, including members of the Banyarwanda community.
The directive, dated January 23, 2025, focuses on improving procedures for proving citizenship and ensuring that all citizens are treated with dignity during the application process.
The order comes in response to numerous complaints from the public about the treatment of passport applicants by immigration officials, particularly concerning how citizenship by birth is verified. President Museveni emphasized that the challenges are administrative rather than legal and called for adherence to the 1995 Constitution and relevant laws.
Speaking on the matter, Mr. Frank Gashumba, the co-founder of the Council for Abavandimwe, criticized the selective application of Article 10 of the 1995 Constitution, which defines citizenship in Uganda. “The problem has been the selective application of Article 10,” he said.
He expressed optimism that the President’s directive would address this issue and bring fairness to the process for all Ugandans, including the Banyarwanda.
Additionally, the President's Advisor, Ms. Grace Kaboyo, highlighted the critical role of the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) in facilitating the process. “We need that data from NIRA from proper arrangements as the government, and that is the importance of having a National ID.
So, it is a bad habit to deny people’s rights of citizenship,” she said. She further emphasized the president’s directive as a step toward streamlining the processes and ensuring equality for all citizens. “It is also a responsibility to have citizenship for a nation,” she added.
The President reaffirmed that every Ugandan citizen has a constitutional right to obtain a passport or travel document and to freely enter, leave, and return to Uganda. Immigration officials are directed to comply with Section 40 of the Citizenship and Immigration Control Act, which requires applicants to present their National Identification Number (NIN) and fulfill any additional lawful requirements published by the Board.
President Museveni stressed that citizenship by birth is inherent and not granted by immigration officers. He stated that there should be a presumption of citizenship unless there is credible evidence to the contrary. The burden of proof lies with immigration officials, not the applicant.
The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) remains the primary institution responsible for determining citizenship. Immigration officers must refer any disputes or anomalies regarding citizenship to NIRA, ensuring due process is followed.
The President instructed that all administrative processes must apply equally to all citizens, regardless of tribe, ethnicity, or community, including the Banyarwanda. Discriminatory practices are prohibited. Where applicants lack standard identification documents such as birth certificates or voter cards, relatives may identify them under oath through statutory declarations. Letters from local authorities and notable elders can also be used to support applications.
The Executive Order also prohibits the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control (DCIC) from confiscating or canceling national identity cards without following legal procedures. Immigration officers are advised to work with NIRA to resolve discrepancies and uphold applicants' rights to be heard.
The President highlighted a legal gap where children of citizens by birth or naturalization do not automatically gain citizenship. He directed the Minister of Internal Affairs and the Attorney General to address this anomaly immediately.
This directive is expected to improve public confidence in Uganda’s immigration and identification systems. By ensuring clear, lawful, and respectful processes, the government aims to eliminate unnecessary bureaucratic barriers and delays in providing essential documents to its citizens.
President Museveni concluded by emphasizing that "a citizen produces a citizen" and that no undue restrictions should prevent Ugandans, including the Banyarwanda community, from exercising their constitutional rights. This Executive Order marks a significant step toward ensuring equity, efficiency, and fairness in Uganda's identification and passport issuance processes.