[UAH] THE ROLE OF A CITIZEN

EXTRACT FROM THE CONSTITUTION:

Chapter Three: Citizenship

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1. Citizens of Uganda. (Article 9)

Every person who, on the coming into force of the constitution (8th
October 1995), is a citizen of Uganda shall continue to be a citizen.

Citizenship can be acquired in three ways—

(a) by birth;

(b) by registration;

(c) by naturalisation, as Parliament may by law provide.

2. Citizen by birth. (Articles 10 and 11(1))

A citizen by birth is —

(a) every person born in Uganda one of whose parents or grandparents
is or was a member of any of the communities within the borders of
Uganda as on first day of February 1926;

(b) every person born in or outside Uganda one of whose parents or
grandparents was at the time of birth of that person a citizen of
Uganda by birth;

(c) a child of not more than five years of age found in Uganda, whose
parents are not known.

3. Citizenship by registration. (Articles 11(2) and 12)

(1) Every person born in Uganda and who has lived continuously in
Uganda since independence (9th October 1962), whose parents or
grandparents were not refugees or diplomats at the time of his or her
birth can apply to be registered as a citizen of Uganda.

(2) The following persons shall, upon application, be registered as
citizens of Uganda—

(a) every person married to a Ugandan citizen upon proof of a legal
and existing marriage of three years or such other period provided by
Parliament;

(b) every person who has lawfully and freely moved to and has been
living in Uganda for at least ten years or other period provided by
Parliament;

(c) every person who, on the coming into force of the Constitution
(8th October 1995), has lived in Uganda for at least twenty years;

(d) a child under the age of eighteen years neither of whose parents
is a citizen of Uganda, who is adopted by a citizen of Uganda.

(3) A person who has been registered as a citizen of Uganda through
marriage shall continue to be a citizen even where his or her marriage
has ended or been declared invalid by a court of law.

4. Citizenship by Naturalisation (Article 13)

Parliament shall by law provide for the acquisition and loss of
citizenship by naturalisation.

5. Loss of citizenship by registration. (Article 14)

A person may lose citizenship by registration on the following grounds—
(a) voluntary service in the armed forces or security forces of a
country at war or unfriendly to Uganda;

(b) if the citizenship was obtained unlawfully;

(c) if one is spying against Uganda.

6. Dual citizenship. (Article 15)

Dual citizenship means being a citizen of two countries at the same time.

(1) A citizen of Uganda of eighteen years and above who voluntarily
acquires the citizenship of another country may retain the citizenship
of Uganda as provided under the law.

(2) A person who is not a citizen of Uganda may upon acquiring
citizenship of Uganda, retain the citizenship of another country
subject to the law.

(3) Where the law of another country requires a citizen to give up his
or her citizenship upon marriage in that country, then upon
dissolution of that marriage one shall reacquire his or her Ugandan
citizenship.

(4) Parliament shall by law prescribe the circumstances of acquiring
dual citizenship.

7. National Citizenship and Immigration Board. (Article 16)

There shall be a National Citizenship and Immigration Board whose
functions shall be prescribed by Parliament by law.

8. Duties of a citizen. (Article 17)

(1) The duties of a citizen are—
(a) to respect the national anthem, flag, coat of arms and currency;

(b) to respect the rights and freedoms of others;

(c) to protect children and other persons who need protection, against
any form of abuse and ill-treatment;

(d) to protect public property;

(e) to defend Uganda and to provide national service when necessary;

(f) to work with lawful agencies in the maintenance of law and order;

(g) to pay taxes;

(h) to register for elections and other lawful purposes;

(i) to fight corruption and wastage of public property;

(j) to create and protect a clean and healthy environment.

(2) It is the duty of all able-bodied citizens to undergo military
training for the defence of the Constitution and the protection of the
country whenever called upon to do so.

(3) Parliament may make a law to provide a penalty for the violation
of any duty or obligation.

8. Registration of births, marriages and deaths. (Article 18)

Every birth, marriage and death occurring in Uganda must be registered.

9. Citizenship of a parent dying before the birth of a person.

(Article 19)

Citizenship of a person born after the death of his or her parent
shall be taken to be the citizenship of the parent at the time of the
parent's death.

(EMPHASIS ON REGISTERING FOR ELECTIONS AND, WITHOUT BEING ACCUSED OF
OVERRIDING THE CONSTITUTION, SHOULD BE MADE CLEAR THAT ONE MUST VOTE
TO BE CONSIDERED A LIVING CITIZEN. THEN FIGHTING CORRUPTION; IT'S NOT
A CHOICE BUT A DUTY AND DUTIES COME WITH RESPONSIBILITIES AND REWARDS.
MILITARY TRAINING FOR ALL CITIZENS TOO)

Robert Atuhairwe