KAMPALA, Uganda — Four ministerial nominees whose citizenship status has come under scrutiny could face delays in their swearing-in as government lawyers assess the legal implications of administering the oath before completion of their renunciation processes.
Sources familiar with the matter said the State Minister-designate for Microfinance, State Minister-designate for Foreign Affairs (International Affairs) Calvin Echodu, Foreign Affairs Minister-designate Adonia Ayebare, State Minister-designate for Finance, Planning and Economic Development (Microfinance) Shartsi Kutesa Musherure, and State Minister-designate for Internal Affairs Dr Lawrence Muganga had not, as of Sunday afternoon, received formal invitations to Monday’s Cabinet inauguration ceremony at State House Entebbe.
President Yoweri Museveni is expected to preside over the ceremony, which will be attended by senior government officials including the Speaker of Parliament and the Chief Justice.
According to multiple sources, the delay stems from concerns raised by officials in the Ministry of Public Service regarding the legal status of nominees who previously held dual or multiple citizenships.
Officials said the ministry advised the appointing authority that proceeding with swearing-in before full completion of renunciation processes could expose government to potential legal challenges.
“The concern is that while some of the nominees initiated renunciation and provided evidence that foreign authorities received their applications, the process has not yet been concluded,” one official said.
Government lawyers are now reportedly reviewing whether initiation of renunciation is sufficient under Uganda’s Citizenship and Immigration Control Act, or whether nominees must first obtain formal confirmation of citizenship relinquishment before assuming public office.
The issue has drawn public attention following Parliament’s vetting process, during which Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa disclosed that four nominees had been flagged over dual or multiple citizenship concerns.
Tayebwa said Parliament’s verification with the Ministry of Internal Affairs established that three nominees held dual citizenship, while another was linked to multiple citizenship arrangements.
He added that the committee reviewed documentation showing steps taken to renounce foreign citizenship before approving several of the nominees.
However, questions remain over when such renunciations legally take effect, and whether individuals can assume ministerial office while the process is still pending.
The uncertainty is most pronounced in the case of Dr Muganga, whose nomination as State Minister for Internal Affairs was reportedly not approved by Parliament’s Appointments Committee following questions related to his citizenship status.
Government sources indicated that the matter has now been referred back to President Museveni as the appointing authority for further direction.
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Neither State House nor the Ministry of Public Service had issued an official comment by Sunday evening.
If the legal concerns are not resolved before Monday’s ceremony, officials say the swearing-in of the affected nominees could be postponed pending completion of the renunciation process and receipt of final documentation from the relevant foreign authorities.
The development sets the stage for a potentially unusual Cabinet inauguration in which some nominees may be sworn in as scheduled, while others await final clearance from government legal and administrative processes.
