A group of prominent Ugandan citizens, including former Ethics Minister Dr. Miria Matembe, lawyer Eron Kiiza, Job Kiija, Kato Tumusiime, and Tumusiime Kakuru, has formally petitioned the Inspector General of Government (IGG) seeking investigations into allegations that several serving Ugandan diplomats and Foreign Service Officers have acquired foreign citizenship while still serving in active diplomatic and public service.
The petition, copied to the Head of Public Service and Secretary to Cabinet, raises concerns about what the petitioners describe as possible abuse of office, conflicts of interest, breaches of constitutional obligations, and threats to Uganda’s sovereignty arising from diplomats allegedly holding dual citizenship in countries where they have been accredited.
The petitioners argue that diplomats represent the Republic of Uganda abroad and therefore must maintain undivided loyalty to the country. They contend that acquiring citizenship of host countries while serving in diplomatic roles may compromise that loyalty and create situations of divided allegiance.
Constitutional and Sovereignty Concerns
According to the petition, Foreign Service Officers occupy highly sensitive positions that involve representing Uganda internationally, accessing confidential state information, negotiating bilateral and multilateral agreements, and advancing Uganda’s foreign policy interests.
The petition cites various constitutional provisions, including Articles 225, 226, 227, 230, and 233, as well as the Leadership Code Act and the Inspectorate of Government Act, as the legal basis for seeking investigations.
The petitioners argue that diplomats who acquire foreign citizenship while serving Uganda may create serious constitutional and national security concerns, including potential conflicts of interest, divided loyalty, and exposure of sensitive state information.
The document further notes that many countries require applicants for citizenship through naturalization to swear oaths of allegiance to the host state. Such oaths, the petition argues, may conflict with the Oath of Allegiance previously sworn by Ugandan public officers.
Call for Comprehensive Investigations
The petition requests the Inspectorate of Government to investigate whether any serving diplomats or Foreign Service Officers have:
Applied for, acquired, or used foreign citizenship while in active service;
Obtained nationality documents or immigration benefits inconsistent with diplomatic obligations;
Failed to disclose foreign citizenship status to relevant Ugandan authorities; and
Continued to enjoy diplomatic privileges while maintaining citizenship ties to host countries.
The petition also seeks investigations into whether supervising authorities were aware of such circumstances and failed to take action, as well as whether diplomatic privileges or public resources may have been used to facilitate acquisition of foreign citizenship or residency benefits.
Importantly, the petitioners have asked the IGG to broaden the inquiry beyond specific cases and investigate other officials serving in Uganda’s diplomatic missions abroad who may hold dual citizenship or foreign nationality documentation while occupying diplomatic positions.
Matembe Links Petition to Ministerial Appointments
Addressing journalists in Kampala, Dr. Miria Matembe said the petition was partly prompted by concerns surrounding recent ministerial appointments involving individuals alleged to possess foreign citizenship.
Matembe, who played a key role in the drafting of Uganda’s 1995 Constitution as a member of both the Constitutional Commission and the Constituent Assembly, said she felt compelled to speak out whenever constitutional provisions appeared to be violated.
“We are acting for God and our country,” Matembe said. “Whenever the Constitution is being violated, I must come out and speak.”
She expressed concern that Parliament had proceeded with vetting some ministerial appointees despite questions regarding their citizenship status. According to Matembe, reports indicate that some of the individuals have only begun the process of renouncing their foreign citizenship.
“The process of renouncing American citizenship takes a long time,” she said. “Starting the process does not mean one has ceased to be a citizen. We believe government should not proceed with such appointments until those questions are fully resolved.”
Matembe further argued that the concerns raised by the appointments prompted wider scrutiny of Uganda’s diplomatic service, where the petitioners claim they discovered indications that several diplomats may have acquired citizenship of countries where they served.
Petitioners Cite Public Service Regulations
The petition references the Uganda Public Service Standing Orders, 2021, and Foreign Service Standing Orders, which require public officers to take oaths of office, secrecy, and allegiance to the Republic of Uganda.
According to the petitioners, diplomats are subject to heightened obligations of patriotism, confidentiality, and loyalty because of the sensitive nature of their work.
The document argues that the acquisition of foreign citizenship by serving diplomats may amount to breach of oath, conflict of interest, misconduct, failure to disclose material information, and abuse of public office.
The petition also cites the Diplomatic Privileges Act and principles contained in the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, arguing that diplomatic representation is fundamentally based on allegiance to the sending state.
Lawyers Raise Concerns About Undisclosed Citizenship
Lawyer Kato Tumusiime said concerns are particularly significant in countries such as the United States, where individuals who acquire citizenship may retain passports from their countries of origin.
According to Tumusiime, some individuals may use this arrangement to conceal foreign citizenship status while continuing to occupy positions that require exclusive allegiance to Uganda.
“When you are serving in a diplomatic capacity, you must owe allegiance to the country you represent,” he said. “When loyalties become divided, there is a risk of abuse of office and personal benefit at the expense of public duty.”
He argued that diplomats holding citizenship of host countries could potentially face conflicts between personal interests and their obligations to defend Uganda’s interests abroad.
