By George Bukenya
The newly appointed Minister of State for Internal Affairs Dr has drawn mixed reaction among political analysts, some individuals say are arguing in line of legal eligibility while others say he was appointed to foster interest of Ugandan-Banyarwanda.
Kampala Lawyer Ronald Yiga has criticized the appointment of Dr. Lawrence Muganga as Minister of State for Internal Affairs, contending that he has been appointed to foster and protect the interests Bavandimwe and Umubano who all along have been accusing the state from discriminating them regarding national documents like National Identity card and passports.
In an interview with this website, Yiga said he wasn’t surprised at all because the likes of such people when born here and the law allows them to hold leadership posts and Dr. Mugaga is eligible to serve in such post.
Yiga argues that dual citizenship, is recognized under Article 15 of the Constitution as amended and that it does not relinquish the rights, duties or obligations of any Ugandan citizen of holding any leadership position.
“This is a small matter, people like Sam Kuteesa had their Parents in Rwanda, Mukasa Mbidde was born although his mother is a Muganda the father was a Munyarwanda and I think that is where he was baried,’’ Yiga reasoned.
According to the lawyer, a person who acquires or retains Ugandan citizenship while also holding citizenship of another country remains entitled to all constitutional rights and remains bound by all duties owed to Uganda.
“Dual citizens assume all duties and enjoy all rights under the Constitution just like any other Ugandan citizen,” Yiga asserted.
The lawyer further cites Article 80 of the Constitution, which provides for qualifications for election as a Member of Parliament, and Article 113, which provides that ministers are appointed from among Members of Parliament or persons qualified to be elected Members of Parliament.
Yiga also notes that while Article 102 restricts eligibility for the presidency to citizens by birth, the Constitution does not expressly impose a similar citizenship limitation on ministerial appointments.
Dr. Muganga’s Wikipedia, indicates that he was born in Mukono District in 1976 and grew up in Masaka District, he went to Mende Kalema Secondary School for his O’level and had his A‘level education at St. Charles Lwanga Kasasa Secondary School from where he joined Makekere University.
Veteran legislator and a renowned legal expert who formerly represented Bugweri County said there shouldn’t even be any debate about whether Dr. Muganga should hold such a Ministerial because the constitution is crystal clear.
The discussion has reignited public interest and opinion in Uganda’s dual citizenship structure which was introduced to allow Ugandans living abroad to retain with ties on their mother country while contributing skills, experience and investment to national development.