Table 6: Right to acquire nationality by naturalisation
COUNTRY
DRC
Rwanda
Uganda a
Res. period
7 yrs
15 yrs
10 yrs
Registration: if
“legal and
voluntary”
Language / cultural
requirements
Speak one of the Congolese
languages; must then
maintain clear cultural,
professional, economic,
emotional or familial links
with the DRC
Character
Renounce
other nat.
Good conduct and
morals; never convicted
for treason, war crimes,
genocide, terrorism,
corruption or various
other crimes.
Yes
Knowledge and respect for Integrity and good
Rwandan culture and
conduct; not pose a
traditions; knowledge of civic threat to national
values; good social relations security.
within the Rwandan society
-
-
20 yrs
Adequate knowledge of “a Good character
Naturalisation: if
prescribed vernacular
not “legal and
language” or English
voluntary”
No
Health
/ income
-
Other1
Must have rendered
distinguished service or
naturalisation must be of real
benefit to the country. Other
conditions also apply in case of
marriage.
Minor children
included?
Limits on rights
for naturalised 2
Yes, automatic
Legal provision
C2006Art72
L2004Art11,18-25, 49
Sufficient means Other grounds for grant of Yes, automatic
nationality include: national
interest, special skills or talents,
substantial investments, honour
The President, President of Senate,
Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies,
President of Supreme Court must be of
Rwandan nationality by origin
C2003(2015) Arts
25,66,99&153
President must be citizen by birth
C1995(2005)
Art12(2)(b)&102
L2021Art13-20
Application also possible based
on 25 years’ factual residence
even if cannot prove legal
residence.
In some
circumstances
In some
circumstances
-
-
Significant additional conditions
apply if wishes to hold dual
nationality.
May be refused if “immigration
file contains substantial
inconsistencies as to put his or
her demeanour in issue”.
No
L1999(2009)
Secs14(2)(b),15,19,19B
&19C
C1995(2005) Art13
L1999(2009)
Secs16&19,19A,19C
Significant additional conditions
apply if wishes to hold dual
nationality.
1. Most countries require the person to be adult; currently and legally resident, and to intend to remain so if they wish to naturalise; these provisions are not included here.
2. Provisions in the nationality law and constitution (not including electoral code).
a
Uganda has particularly complex distinctions between registration and naturalisation which are hard to represent in table for m; significant additional conditions apply if the person wishes to have dual citizenship. The 1995 Constitution
provides for 10 years’ residence to acquire citizenship by registration, “or such other period prescribed by Parliament”; sin ce 2009 the legislation has also required 10 years’ residence.
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