By. MAMUCH DENG NYANG RUNDIAL
LLB (MUK) PGDLP candidate (LDC)
My fellow foreigners, south Sudanese, Sudanese, Ethiopians, Eritreans, Somalis etc…
Please being born in Uganda and issuance of a birthday certificate by the hospital or NIRA (National Identification and Registration Authority) doesn’t qualify you to be citizen by birth.
Birth certificate is for birth and not citizenship.
Citizenship by birthday as enshrined in the constitution of the Republic of Uganda, 1995 as amended is beyond being just born here….
It includes inter alia one of your parents being an indigenous tribe in Uganda existing within the borders of Uganda as of first day February, 1926.
In simple terms this means for one to be a Ugandan by birth, you must have one of your parents belonging to a local tribe in Uganda.
This is absolutely it and nothing you can do about it . It’s the position of the law.
Now, I have seen many Of my South Sudanese in Uganda procuring properties especially land in the names of their sons and daughters with mistaken belief that they are citizens.
The different brokers or even unscrupulous lawyers who want to draw quick cash have encouraged and convinced them to buy the same.
This is not only wrong but also illegal and has far reaching implications.
Some of the ramifications include you having not obtained a good title and in the long run, the same person who sold it to you will come behind and reclaim the interst and you will be left crying.
Remember, ignorance of the law is not excuse for engaging in an illegal act.
THEN WHAT INTERESTS IN LAND CAN A FORIENGNER ACQUIRE IN UGANDA. ?
Therefore in regards to the different interests of land in Uganda ranging from Mailo, Freehold and leasehold tenures, a non citizen can only acquire leasehold interests( 5, years, 45 years and 99 years) and be issued a leasehold certificate and also being indicated on the mother title. There you will have a clean title.
THEN WHAT ARE THE RIGHTFUL WAYS OF BEING A CITIZEN OF UGANDA?
Please note that, Uganda isn’t like USA, Canada where mere birth renders you citizenship, it’s different here.
Some of the ways of being a legal citizen in Uganda include.
1. being born here and one of your parents is or was an indigenous tribe in Uganda, what we call citizenship by birthday
2. One being naturalised in accordance with the laws.
3. If you are adopted legally in accordance with the laws of Uganda.
4. If you have legally married a Ugandan and you have applied to be a citizen.
The above are ways in which you can be a citizen, and when you have legally done so, you can be at liberty to acquire and interests in land as a citizen and enjoy all the rights of a citizen.
Please don’t be deceived and buy mailo or Freehold interests directly, it’s illegal and you will loose your hard earned money for nothing..
For today this is the simple Guide I would like to give.
The next conversation will be how do we help and rescue those that have already messed up.????
For more engagement and conversation
Contact…
Nyangrundial@gmail.com
+256773754106