The Parliamentary Appointments Committee has reportedly declined to approve the appointment of Lawrence Muganga as State Minister for Internal Affairs, citing legal restrictions related to dual citizenship.
Muganga was among several ministerial nominees who appeared before Parliament’s vetting committee on May 2 after President Yoweri Museveni unveiled his Cabinet selections for the 2026–2031 term.
According to reports, the committee based its decision on provisions of the Citizenship and Immigration Act, which prohibit dual citizens from holding positions listed under the Fifth Schedule of the law. These positions include the President, Prime Minister, Cabinet Ministers, and Ministers of State.
Muganga is known to hold Canadian citizenship in addition to Ugandan citizenship, which he reportedly acquired in 2021. There have also been allegations linking him to Rwanda, claims he strongly rejected during the vetting process.
Sources indicate that Muganga appealed to committee members and pledged to renounce his Canadian citizenship if required. However, he firmly denied suggestions that he is a Rwandan national.
Speaking to journalists after his appearance before the committee, Muganga explained that while he belongs to the Banyarwanda ethnic community in Uganda, he does not hold Rwandan nationality.
“Ndi Munyarwanda and Banyarwanda are among the tribes in Uganda. That is a simple fact. I’m not Rwandan. Before I came here, I had two citizenships — the Ugandan and the Canadian citizenship,” he said.
Reports also note that Muganga previously worked with the Rwanda Revenue Authority, a factor that contributed to questions about his nationality.
In 2021, Ugandan immigration authorities arrested Muganga at Victoria University over allegations of overstaying and espionage. The incident occurred during a period of heightened political tensions between Uganda and Rwanda.
