By Stephen Kalema
Cabinet has approved the introduction of the international East Africa Community e-Passports and the ultimate phaseout of the current East African and National Machine Readable Passports.
According to the government spokesperson Ofwono Opondo, the e-Passports are to replace the current ones as agreed in the East African Community Summit.
“All the six East African countries will have e-Passport. However, the e-Passport will contain an indicator showing the country where the holder originates from. And the most paramount requirement needed for one to have this kind of passport is a National Identity card,” Opondo said at the Uganda Media Centre on Tuesday.
The e-Passport will be used with effect after the launch of e-Passport system on January 10, 2019. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, citizens wishing to apply for passport without any urgent need for international travel are advised to wait until the commission of e-Passports system, so that they can apply. He, however, advised those without National Identity cards to first get it since the system will entirely depend on National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) data base.
However, Opondo advised those wishing to travel within East African countries to use their national identity cards as their travel document. He also said citizens holding the current National Machine Readable passport are given a grace period of two years. Beyond that period in 2021, no machine readable passport will be valid while travelling.
Applications for the e-Passports are to be filled on online. However, those not able are advised to go and visit emigration centers. E-Passports are to cost Shs250,000 ordinary, Shs400,000 government officials, Diplomatic Shs500,000 while express will cost over Shs500,000 paid in banks at all levels.
According to Opondo, e-Passports will contain microchip on which all every information about the holder will be stored, it will also have and eyelid mark specifically for the holder and all the ten finger prints of the holder
Opondo said e-Passports are to facilitate travel within the region and will also be equipped with adequate Security features that can help handle matter connected with transnational crime like identity fraud. Also they will provide an opportunity for the integration with other innovative solutions for online I identification and authentication for the government services.
Do you have a story in your community or an opinion to share with us: Email us at editorial@watchdoguganda.com
