Uganda Minister-Designate Tanna Affirms Sole Ugandan Citizenship

Uganda's Trade Minister-designate, Sanjay Tanna, has asserted that he holds only Ugandan citizenship, addressing public scrutiny over recent ministerial appointments. Tanna stated this during his vetting by the Appointments Committee, where he confirmed to journalists that his citizenship status was a key point of discussion.

"The vetting process went smoothly. When I was asked about citizenship, I told the committee I don't have any other citizenship apart from Uganda and hold only one passport, which is the Ugandan passport," Tanna said. His remarks come amid a heightened public debate in Uganda concerning dual citizenship laws and the eligibility of individuals with dual nationality to hold senior public positions.

The issue gained prominence following the appointment of several ministers and a petition challenging the qualifications of dual citizens for ministerial roles. Tanna himself has a history with the dual citizenship debate. In 2009, as a Member of Parliament for Tororo Municipality, he backed legislation that influenced Uganda's current dual citizenship framework. He argued at the time that the law would help rectify historical injustices faced by Ugandans of Asian origin who lost their citizenship during the 1972 expulsion.

During that legislative debate, Tanna also called for clearer definitions regarding provisions for granting citizenship based on significant contributions to the country. He questioned how "enormous contributions" would be quantified. Tanna served two terms as the Member of Parliament for Tororo Municipality from 2006 to 2016. His son, Shyam Jay Tanna, later reclaimed the seat in the January general elections.

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The vetting process went smoothly. When I was asked about citizenship, I told the committee I don't have any other citizenship apart from Uganda and hold only one passport, which is the Ugandan passport.