Kampala — Ugandans with dual citizenship will not be eligible to serve in the Cabinet or head security organisations.

This was contained in the Uganda Citizenship and Immigration Control (Amendment) Bill 2008, which is being scrutinised by the parliamentary committee on defence.

The Bill lists 11 State positions that cannot be held by a person with dual citizenship. They will also not be eligible for appointment as Inspector General of Government (IGG) and the deputy IGG, army battalion commanders and in senior positions in the army.

Appearing before the committee chaired by Mathias Kasamba (NRM), internal affairs minister Stephen Kagoda said dual citizenship has not been operational due to lack of backing legislation.

He, however, cited security challenges that would arise with dual citizenship.

"Imagine what would happen if the President of Rwanda was Congolese and there was fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo? That is why we cannot allow dual nationality in some cases."

Kasamba wondered whether there was a mechanism of tracking Ugandans who had renounced their nationality. Kagonda replied that such people were required to surrender their passports before getting citizenship elsewhere.

Godfrey Wanzira from the immigration control directorate expressed concern that some investors experienced delays in getting visas and work permits.

Milton Muwuma (NRM) called for the harmonisation of the list of people not eligible for dual citizenship with that of VIPs.