The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has given Metrine Nanzala, the Namisindwa County NRM parliamentary candidate, a seven-day ultimatum to prove her Ugandan citizenship.
In a September 29, 2025, letter, signed by NIRA Executive Director Rosemary Kisembo and addressed to Nanzala and copied to the Namisindwa NRM office, the Authority expressed concern that she may be a Kenyan national.
The letter, titled Notice of Intention to Cancel Registration, reads in part: “During your registration for national identification, you registered as a citizen of Uganda by birth, belonging to the Banelima Clan indigenous community.
The Authority subsequently assigned you a NIN CF85067100WPRA. However, it has come to our attention that you are a citizen of the Republic of Kenya without evidence of a certificate of dual citizenship as required under Section 55(5)(a) of the Registration of Persons Act Cap 332.
”The Authority further cited Section 57(a)(b) of the same Act, which provides for cancellation of registration if it was obtained based on “inaccurate, incomplete or fraudulent information.
”The letter continues: “Therefore, this is to require you to show cause in writing within seven (7) days why your registration should not be cancelled for having been obtained based on inaccurate or incomplete information, that is, non-submission of a certificate of dual citizenship. Failure to do so will result in the cancellation of your registration.”
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Namisindwa NRM Chairperson Aramazani Wabuko confirmed receipt of the letter and said the party is taking steps to resolve the matter.
“As a party, we are doing everything possible to provide the necessary documents to prove that our candidate is Ugandan,” Wabuko said, calling for calm among NRM supporters and voters in Namisindwa.
When contacted, Nanzala dismissed the letter as fake, accusing her political rivals of circulating it to tarnish her image.
“That letter is forged and being circulated by my opponents. Once we identify the person behind it, they will be dealt with lawfully,” she said.
According to Article 80 of the Constitution of Uganda, one must be a Ugandan citizen to qualify as a Member of Parliament.
Other requirements include being a registered voter, having completed Advanced Level education or its equivalent, and being at least 18 years old.
Non-Ugandans are not eligible to contest for parliamentary seats in Uganda, making citizenship a fundamental qualification for any aspiring legislator.
FROM URN
