Kampala, Uganda – January 25, 2025 – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has issued a directive to immigration authorities, urging them to simplify the process of acquiring identification documents such as passports for Ugandan citizens. The directive, contained in an executive order dated January 23, 2025, emphasizes that citizenship is a fundamental right and should not be hindered by unnecessary bureaucratic procedures.
President Museveni highlighted that the issue is not rooted in the law itself but rather in its administrative implementation, which has led to numerous complaints from the public regarding difficulties in obtaining passports. He stressed that every Ugandan citizen has the right to a passport and to freely enter, leave, and return to the country.
According to the directive, the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control should adhere to Section 40 of the Citizenship and Immigration Control Act, which mandates that only a National Identification Number (NIN) is required to prove citizenship, along with any additional requirements prescribed by the board. The president insisted that any additional requirements must be published, well-known, and lawful.
Museveni further instructed that all administrative processes for proving citizenship—especially by birth—must respect the dignity of all applicants. He emphasized that citizenship by birth is inherent and should not be subject to unnecessary scrutiny unless credible evidence suggests otherwise.
“It is the duty of immigration officers to facilitate, not frustrate, the process,” Museveni stated, adding that there should always be a presumption of citizenship unless proven otherwise.
The president also outlined that requirements such as birth certificates, voter’s cards, and other legally recognized documents should suffice for identification purposes. In cases where an applicant lacks these, a relative can vouch for them under a statutory declaration.
Furthermore, he directed that local authorities such as Local Council (LC) officials, security officers, and Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) should support applicants in obtaining identification documents without unnecessary delays. He noted that if an applicant is later found not to be a citizen, the issued documents can be revoked.
Museveni called for equal treatment of all Ugandans, regardless of tribe or ethnicity, and reiterated that the law must be followed strictly to prevent discrimination and inconvenience.
The executive order also touches on the issue of automatic citizenship, clarifying that under current laws, children born of Ugandan parents must be registered to obtain citizenship status. He tasked the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Attorney General to address any legal gaps in this area.
President Museveni’s directive is expected to ease the frustrations many Ugandans face in obtaining passports and other identification documents, ensuring a more efficient and citizen-friendly process.
