By Mulengera Reporters
President Yoweri Museveni has directed Major General Apollo Kasiita-Gowa, the Chief Citizenship and Immigration Control Officer in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, to ensure that members of the Kuku ethnic community in Kayunga District receive government services as fully recognized Ugandan citizens.
The Kuku, locally known as Abakuku are one of the smallest indigenous communities in Kayunga, with the majority residing in Busaana Town Council. For years, members of the community have reportedly been denied access to key services, including registration for national identity cards, after being erroneously treated as non-Ugandans.
The issue was raised during a presidential campaign rally at Busaana Town Council Playground by Kayunga District NRM Chairperson Moses Karangwa. He told President Museveni that the exclusion of the Kuku community from citizenship services remains one of the district’s long-standing challenges.
Taking the podium, President Museveni summoned Gen. Gowa who oversees immigration, passports, and citizenship matters to clarify the legal framework governing Ugandan citizenship.
Gen. Gowa thanked the President for the opportunity to serve and explained that the Kuku community is found both in Uganda and South Sudan. He emphasized that those residing in Uganda are eligible for citizenship after verification by village elders and local leaders to confirm long-term residence.
He outlined that individuals who lived in Uganda before Independence, those who entered the country in the 1980s, and persons who have continuously resided in a particular village for at least 15 years qualify for Ugandan citizenship, subject to approval by local authorities.
Following the explanation, President Museveni urged the Kuku community to work closely with local leaders and follow the established guidelines to secure their citizenship rights.
At the same rally, Speaker of Parliament and NRM Second Vice Chairperson Anita Among cautioned residents of Kayunga against politicians claiming credit for the construction of Isimba Dam. She asserted that the dam was solely a brainchild and initiative of President Museveni.
Meanwhile, Moses Karangwa also presented a district memorandum to the President, highlighting the lack of electricity in many villages across Bbaale Constituency and Ntenjeru North, calling for urgent government intervention. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
