The parliamentary vetting of President Yoweri Museveni’s newly appointed Cabinet hit an early point of contention on Monday, June 1, 2026, after Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Joel Ssenyonyi, demanded that ministers-designate holding dual citizenship either renounce their foreign nationality or withdraw from the vetting process.
Speaking to journalists at Parliament during the ongoing approval process, Ssenyonyi argued that Uganda’s laws are explicit on who can occupy sensitive state offices, insisting the matter was not open for debate.
“If they insist on serving as cabinet ministers, let them first relinquish the citizenship of the other countries because the law is the law,” Ssenyonyi said.
He emphasized that possessing dual citizenship should not prevent qualified Ugandans from serving the country but noted that legal restrictions apply to specific government positions.
According to him, individuals with multiple nationalities could still contribute in other capacities that are not constitutionally restricted.
The controversy stems from provisions in the 1995 Constitution of Uganda and the Uganda Citizenship and Immigration Control (Amendment) Act, 2009, which bar dual citizens from holding certain high-ranking state offices.
While Article 15 of the Constitution permits dual citizenship, Article 15(7) gives Parliament powers to determine offices that dual citizens cannot hold. Parliament later operationalized this through legislation that identifies key state offices restricted to sole Ugandan citizens, including the President, Vice President, Prime Minister, Cabinet Ministers and Ministers of State.
The legal debate intensified following President Yoweri Museveni’s recent Cabinet appointments, particularly over three ministers-designate reportedly linked to dual citizenship, Adonia Ayebare, the Minister of Foreign Affairs designate; Calvin Echodu, Minister of State for International Affairs designate; and Lawrence Muganga, Minister of State for Internal Affairs designate.
By the time Ssenyonyi addressed the media, the three had not yet appeared before Parliament’s Appointments Committee for vetting. He expressed hope that the issue would be resolved beforehand to avoid delays or unnecessary parliamentary proceedings.
The Opposition leader also cited a recent presidential adjustment involving Kasule Lumumba, who had initially been appointed Government Chief Whip before being reassigned to ICT and National Guidance after concerns emerged that the position required an elected Member of Parliament. Ruth Aceng was later appointed to the role.
“It is a position of the law, it is not debatable,” Ssenyonyi maintained.
Meanwhile, not all ministers-designate linked to public debate over citizenship face the same concerns. Sanjay Tanna, the Minister-designate for Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, dismissed speculation regarding dual nationality during his appearance before the Appointments Committee.
Tanna, who is of Indian origin but was born and raised in Uganda, clarified that he holds only Ugandan citizenship.
“My meeting with the Appointments Committee went well. I told them that I don’t have any other citizenship. I am a Ugandan and I don’t have any other passport,” he said.
The former Member of Parliament for Tororo Municipality also addressed concerns surrounding his family’s political influence after his son, Shyam Tanna, won the same parliamentary seat in the recent elections.
“He came on his own right, he fought an election, he won,” Tanna said, stressing that his Cabinet role was a presidential appointment.
He further pledged to serve all Ugandans equally, saying his heritage would not affect his commitment to national service.
The unfolding debate has revived long-standing discussions in Uganda about national identity, diaspora engagement, merit and loyalty in public service. While dual citizenship was introduced to encourage investment and stronger ties with Ugandans abroad, lawmakers retained restrictions on some of the country’s most sensitive offices to safeguard national interests.
As Parliament continues vetting President Museveni’s Cabinet nominees, attention now turns to how the Appointments Committee and the President will handle the citizenship concerns, a move likely to shape both public confidence and the pace of Cabinet approval.
