Sejusa questions Dr Lawrence Muganga appointment, urges respect for dual citizenship Laws

Retired UPDF General David Sejusa has weighed into the growing controversy surrounding the nomination of Dr. Lawrence Muganga as Minister of State for Internal Affairs, arguing that Uganda’s laws on dual citizenship were deliberately designed with clear limitations that should not be bypassed.

The former bush war commander, who also served as Coordinator of Intelligence Services and Director General of the Internal Security Organisation (ISO), said he played a role in the campaign that led to the legalization of dual citizenship. However, he emphasized that Parliament intentionally introduced safeguards to prevent potential abuse of the system.

“I was among those who advocated for the legalization of dual citizenship in Uganda,” Sejusa said. “Before 2005, dual citizenship was prohibited. The Constitution was amended largely for economic reasons, and the framework was later implemented in 2009 with strict provisions to address concerns about possible misuse.”

According to Sejusa, lawmakers carefully defined both the rights and restrictions attached to dual citizenship.

“The issue is not dual citizenship itself,” he noted. “The real question is whether we are prepared to follow the law. If circumstances have changed and new interests need to be accommodated, then the law should be amended. Ignoring the law, even in minor matters, creates a culture where bigger violations eventually become acceptable.”

His remarks come amid mounting debate over Muganga’s eligibility to serve in Cabinet, with critics pointing to Article 15(7) of the Constitution and provisions of the Uganda Citizenship and Immigration Control Act that allow Parliament to restrict dual citizens from holding certain public offices.

The law’s Fifth Schedule bars dual citizens from occupying several sensitive positions, including President, Vice President, Prime Minister, Cabinet Ministers and other Ministers, Inspector General of Government, Chief of Defence Forces, service commanders, Inspector General of Police, heads of intelligence agencies, and members of the National Citizenship and Immigration Board.

The controversy has drawn reactions from legal scholars and public figures.

Former Makerere University Vice Chancellor Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba cautioned against overlooking the legal restrictions, warning that doing so could establish a dangerous precedent for future administrations.

“We should avoid creating loopholes that could later be exploited by individuals with questionable intentions,” Baryamureeba said.

Lawyer Isaac Atukunda argued that the matter should be viewed strictly through a legal lens rather than a political one.

“The central issue is whether a dual citizen can legally serve as a minister under Uganda’s current laws. Without those legal restrictions, there would be no controversy,” he said.

Constitutional lawyer Benjamin Katana echoed similar sentiments, maintaining that Parliament deliberately excluded dual citizens from certain offices due to concerns about loyalty, national security, and potential conflicts of interest.

However, some legal experts disagree with that interpretation. Uganda Law Society President Isaac Ssemakadde has argued that the constitutional provisions on dual citizenship should be read broadly and in context, suggesting that alternative interpretations remain possible.

The issue is expected to feature prominently when Parliament’s Appointments Committee begins vetting Cabinet nominees.

What started as questions over a single ministerial nomination has now evolved into a wider national debate about constitutionalism, the rule of law, and the place of dual citizenship within Uganda’s governance framework nearly two decades after its introduction.