{UAH} WE GONE TO THE DOGS: Uganda opens door for non-citizens to apply for naturalisation

Uganda opens door for non-citizens to apply for naturalisation

Posted by: APA Posted date : January 19, 2015 at 11:45 am UTC 10 views In: Africa

The Ugandan Minister of Internal Affairs, Aronda Nyakairima, has flagged off a country-wide exercise in which non-citizens, who have resided in Uganda for an aggregate period of more than twenty years, will apply for citizenship by naturalization.

The naturalization exercise which commenced Monday will end on 18th February 2015 and shall target eligible persons who are spread out in at least 80 of the country's districts.

General Aronda explained that naturalization is a legal process by which a non-citizen can apply to become a citizen of Uganda, and emphasized that citizenship will be granted to applicants who meet the conditions set out in the laws of Uganda.

He further emphasized that applicants for citizenship by naturalization will have to fulfill all the five conditions stated in the laws.

According to the Ugandan Citizenship and Immigration Control Act, an applicant must have lived in Uganda for 20 years, and must be a resident in Uganda continuously for a period of two years prior to the date of application.

The law also requires the applicant to have knowledge of a local language or English and be of good character.

An applicant will also have to prove that once naturalized, he/she intends to reside permanently in Uganda.

Aronda explained that the naturalization exercise will be based at the sub-county and eligible persons will access and fill out the mandatory forms.

He assured the target communities that the National Citizenship that Immigration Board has designated immigration officers to verify the applications and approve those who qualify to be granted citizenship by naturalization.

Aronda said processing of the application will be done on the same day and a qualified person will be issued with certificate of naturalization as a citizen.

He however warned persons who wish to apply for citizenship by naturalization to desist from declaring false information regarding their eligibility. He particularly clarified that refugees are not eligible to apply for citizenship by naturalization, and should not attempt to participate in the exercise.

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Gwokto La'Kitgum

"Even a small dog can piss on a tall Building", Jim Hightower

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