On the Sunday Family show of yesterday the 23/09/07 we listened to the newly elected president of UNA - Uganda North American Association Mr. Musisi talk about aggresively pushing the issue of dual citizenships in Uganda.



Do you think that Uganda is ready this? Would it be wise to make such a change in a country without national cards, when it's difficult to tell who is where and who is who? Shouldn't anyone interested in any identity changes start with seeing things getting organized in all departments, other than only there where his needs are served?

I think not. America didn't have dual citizenshps till 1992. Some European countries don't even now. We need to cultivate our sense of nationality before we can start to think about such things. Many people could end up hyper confused. The nation itself is not stable. Even the people inside Uganda don't feel that they belong. And in any case, even in countries that allow dual citizenships, the people that belong only there, are the priority. So, first things first.

Nananyini kiggwa, yenyini yakiweebula. My vote too is not now. Uganda needs to register the foreigners in the country first and know who is who. People doing community thinking should think hard. The people in the Diaspora can't say because they are sending to their parents and families money, Uganda should twist rules and laws to suit them!! Stop sending if you don't want to! Uganda survived before without your money and it will do again if she has to. But if you are doing it from love then you will understand that a country/nation is much more than a dependent economy. Some other people thought that because they had some knowledge of economics they'd make a difference, they did, a bad one.

Uganda in its current vulnerable if not chaotic state is not ready to undertake dual citizienship primarily because the organisational and management in place still requires to improve from being a one-man band.



This said, and taking into account all that has been raised by the postings already in place here; one other factor that is perhaps not highlighted is the need for Ugandan business enterpreneurs in the diaspora for whom this move to dual nationalism feel the urgency most. As opposed to the given effect that persons in the diaspora are calling for dual citizienship purely because they are contributing to the economy of their loved ones back in Uganda. Indeed if the vein of thought was primarily to pursue their own gains, those in the diaspora that have featured in the growth of the economy would've not have contributed towards our motherland in the first place.



Ugandans in the diaspora who wish to partake in business ventures within Uganda face an upheal struggle whereupon investors from other parts of the globe have an unfair advantage, similar to an extent to those on the ground - however this is another topic for another thread perhaps...



So let's unite in our postings please to work towards a common goal.



What we currently have to address are more than just one issue pertaining to a given individuals desire to align the benefits duality will bring to the nation as a whole. Simply its as much a political ploy to control the votes on ground. After all you may send the money to your homies but at the end of the day, they are the ones who have to live and operate in the 'hot' zone. Perhaps the question ought to have been first to identify the advantages/disadvantages of dual citizienship...

Biikolwa, welcome aboard the CU forum. I think you are right, we need to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of dual citizenship. I would like to start with the obvious advantages;

These are especially for us in the diaspora,

1.every one could start chasing his/her second passport without the fear of loosing their Ugandan.

2. We get double rights, good jobs etc in both countries.

3. Our children could get the best of the two worlds

4. We could travel to Uganda every when we feel like it, without the constant red-tape renewal of residence permits.

5. We can invite our relatives to visit us, and even to stay.

6. The people home will envy us and wish they were in our place, even aspire to dual citizenships too.



Disadvantages;

1. People at home get confused even more

2. National tegetherness even more in jeorpady, as everyone aspires to being a citizen of another country as well. Since the dual citizenship people would be having the same rights as them plus another set, that smells and looks better, from another country.

3. Paying taxes twice

4. Instead of that, and because Uganda is disorganized, most people in the diaspora would avade taxes due to Uganda. It's not easy to pay taxes twice, which is why even the rich out here don't have many citizenships.



Must be many more disadvantages, and advantages maybe, let's think on.