The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has defended its scrutiny of the appointment of Dr. Lawrence Muganga as Minister of State for Internal Affairs, arguing that questions about his eligibility are matters of constitutional compliance rather than personal attacks. In a statement issued on Saturday, the ULS said the debate surrounding Muganga’s appointment concerns the application of Uganda’s citizenship laws and constitutional requirements for holders of certain public offices.
According to the lawyers’ body, Article 15(7) of the Constitution empowers Parliament to prescribe offices that cannot be held by dual citizens. The ULS Governing Council noted that Section 23 of the Uganda Citizenship and Immigration Control Act and the Fifth Schedule to the law prohibit dual citizens from holding specified offices of State, including those of Cabinet Ministers and Ministers of State, unless Parliament amends the schedule through a resolution.
The society emphasized that citizenship is ordinarily a private matter but becomes a legitimate issue of public interest when an individual seeks appointment to a high public office, particularly one involving national security responsibilities. The ULS said it does not normally investigate or pronounce itself on citizenship matters but was compelled to comment after Muganga publicly addressed questions surrounding his vetting process on social media.
The lawyers’ body also cautioned Muganga and his supporters against portraying legal scrutiny of his eligibility as anti-Rwanda sentiment, tribalism, or racism. “Such statements, made without verification, risk polarizing public debate, weakening respect for the rule of law, and shifting focus from the constitutional requirements at stake,” the statement said.
“He is strongly cautioned to cease and desist from stoking fires that have nothing to do with the ongoing vetting process. He should simply focus on what the law requires, not what he desires it to be,” said Isaac Ssemakadde in a separate interview. The society stressed that its position should not be interpreted as opposition to dual citizenship, noting that dual citizens remain valued members of Ugandan society. It argued that restrictions under the Fifth Schedule apply only to specific offices of the State and are intended to safeguard sovereignty and undivided allegiance.
The ULS further renewed its call for greater transparency in parliamentary vetting processes. It criticized Rule 171(2) of Parliament’s Rules of Procedure, which provides for closed vetting proceedings, and urged the 12th Parliament to amend the rule to allow greater public participation. The society also revealed that its Governing Council had resolved to formally request the report of Parliament’s Appointments Committee. It said the report would enable it to assess whether the vetting process complied with constitutional and statutory requirements governing ministerial appointments.
The ULS called on the new Parliamentary administration to provide the report without delay. While reiterating that xenophobia must be rejected in all forms, the society maintained that the matter should be viewed strictly as one of constitutional scrutiny and legal compliance rather than prejudice against any community. “The ULS remains committed to the supremacy of the Constitution, the rule of law, and the protection of Uganda’s sovereignty,” the statement said-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
