• Contact Us
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Donate
  • Login
Watchdog Uganda
  • Home
  • News
    • National
    • Politics
    • World News
    • Media Outreach Newswire
    • Africa News
    • Tourism
    • Community News
    • Luganda
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Motorsport
  • Op-Ed
    • #Out2Lunch
    • Conversations with
    • Politics
    • Relationships
  • Business
    • Agriculture
    • CEOs & Entrepreneurs,
    • Companies
    • Finance
    • Products
    • RealEstate
    • Technology
  • Entertainment
    • Lifestyle
  • People
    • Showbiz
      • Salon Mag
  • Special Report
    • Education
    • Voices
  • Reviews
    • Products
    • Events
    • Hotels
    • Restaurants
    • Places
  • WD-TV
  • Donate
  • China News
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • National
    • Politics
    • World News
    • Media Outreach Newswire
    • Africa News
    • Tourism
    • Community News
    • Luganda
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Motorsport
  • Op-Ed
    • #Out2Lunch
    • Conversations with
    • Politics
    • Relationships
  • Business
    • Agriculture
    • CEOs & Entrepreneurs,
    • Companies
    • Finance
    • Products
    • RealEstate
    • Technology
  • Entertainment
    • Lifestyle
  • People
    • Showbiz
      • Salon Mag
  • Special Report
    • Education
    • Voices
  • Reviews
    • Products
    • Events
    • Hotels
    • Restaurants
    • Places
  • WD-TV
  • Donate
  • China News
No Result
View All Result
Watchdog Uganda
No Result
View All Result

Why acquiring a passport in Uganda is now becoming a nightmare

Watchdog Uganda by Watchdog Uganda
3 years ago
in National, News
18 1
Passport

Passport

ShareTweetSendShare

There is growing frustration among millions of Ugandans due to massive delays in passport processing at the Directorate of Immigration Control, under Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Both the applicants and those intending to apply remain hopeless as the Ministry maintains that the delay will soon be sorted, as of when, there is no answer.

Simon Mundeyi, the spokesperson of the Ministry recently said they had procured a new machine which the employees are “still studying.”

The passport mess resulted from government’s decision to ban ordinary passport having adopted machine readable East African E-passport.

And therefore, the an unprecedented demand for passport renewal has caused chaos.

The demand overwhelmed supply.

It has raised queries why the ministry would introduce a new policy which it can’t implement.

Mess

Previously, an express passport costing shs, 300,000 would take three days to be processed while ordinary booklet valued at shs 150,000 took 1 to 2 weeks.

However, with the new policy, the rates for application have since changed, cost raised but all this comes with a huge delay in production. For example an express passport now goes for shs 500,000 but it takes forever to be printed.

Some of the officials at the Ministry have used this chance to milk large sums from frustrated applicants promising to deliver in short time but in vain.

Many businessmen have paid a bribe of up to shs 1 million, for express passport but until today they have nothing.

For example, the citizens who applied in April for express passports, up to date remain waiting.

The applicants of the ordinary booklet have no hope of getting the passport soon.

According to inside sources, the delay is caused by many factors.

Without mentioning names, the source said that, a new commissioner at the ministry who has not taken time to study the dynamics but immediately introduced harsh policies has largely caused the breakdown.

“Since there is no business most workers have abandoned their offices and are doing side jobs to survive. They accuse their new boss of making rushed decisions which backfired,” a source said.

For now the passport office is presiding over an absolute shambles.

The ministry a fortnight ago announced that the Kyambogo office had a breakdown and business would resume soon. However, the ministry urged those who applied early enough to pick their passports.

The applicants who go there have many times bounced.

“There is no passport printed. But shockingly the ministry keeps telling people to pay money and apply. So where is the money going or what is it used for?” a source questioned.

The Commissioner for Citizenship and Passport Control, Brig Johnson Namanya couldn’t respond to our messages when repeatedly reached for explanation.

Startlingly, the entire leadership of the ministry is led by army generals, with Gen Kahinda Otaffire at the helm, deputized by Gen David Muhoozi, Gen Joseph Musanyufu as Permanent Secretary and Brig Namanya in Immigrations.

Soldiers have been known for being competent and running institutions efficiently. Gen Aronda Nyakairima, a former Army Commander who would later be posted at the Internal Affairs Ministry had caused a great change by streamlining the institution. During his time as the Minister, there were no queues for passport at the premises.

Many people regret his death (RIP).

A source added that, the Ministry passed budget to procure hi-tech equipment from Germany and later London.

“But up to now, there is no single machine from those countries,” said a source.

Equally, Brig Namanya didn’t respond to this.

The publicist Mundeyi had earlier told this website that “We are printing passports normally sir.”

“About express, it is true we got a challenge having received so very applicants for the same service. 138 labour companies applied for express passports and this overwhelmed our capacity but we have since increased our work stations and this is being handled well,” he said.

The Ministry of Labour has sought a meeting with 138 labour firms to chart way forward since the companies are losing millions everyday.

Trumpet News


Do you have a story in your community or an opinion to share with us: Email us at editorial@watchdoguganda.com
Share4Tweet2SendShare

Related Posts

RDC George Owanyi engaging the meeting
News

Nakapiripirit RDC George Owanyi teams up with Karamoja Anti-Corruption Coalition to intensify fight against corruption 

30th June 2025 at 09:21
Op-Ed

RICHARD BYAMUKAMA: The Legitimacy of South Sudan’s Government Hangs in the Balance

29th June 2025 at 23:59
News

President Museveni salutes First Lady for her contribution to Uganda as she celebrates 77th birthday 

29th June 2025 at 21:56
Next Post
Denis Jjuuko

DENIS JJUUKO: The pitfalls of a culture of pretending to work and pretending to pay

  • Prostitution in Uganda- Courtesy Photo

    10 dangerous hotspots known for prostitutes in Kampala

    1098 shares
    Share 439 Tweet 275
  • LIST: New salary structure for civil servants starting July 2020 out; scientists, lecturers get juicy pay rise

    2282 shares
    Share 913 Tweet 571
  • Uganda’s Billionaires 2025: Once Again Sudhir Ruparelia Leads a Resilient Pack

    38 shares
    Share 15 Tweet 10
  • Pastor Bugingo Seeks Reconciliation with Teddy and Children, Prays for Makula’s Twins

    18 shares
    Share 7 Tweet 5
  • LIST : Gov’t releases Revised Salary Structure for Teachers, Police, and Prisons Staff for FY 2024/2025

    111 shares
    Share 44 Tweet 28
Facebook Twitter

Contact Information

Watchdog Uganda is a portal for solution journalism, trending news plus cutting edge commentaries in the fields of politics, security, business, tourism, entertainment, technology, agriculture, climate change, environment, public health et al. We also give preference to Ugandan community news and topical discussions. The portal also publishes community news and topical discussions.

Email: editorial@watchdoguganda.com
To Advertise:Click here

Latest News

RDC George Owanyi engaging the meeting

Nakapiripirit RDC George Owanyi teams up with Karamoja Anti-Corruption Coalition to intensify fight against corruption 

30th June 2025 at 09:21

RICHARD BYAMUKAMA: The Legitimacy of South Sudan’s Government Hangs in the Balance

29th June 2025 at 23:59

Check out

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Minister Muruli Mukasa

LIST: New salary structure for civil servants starting July 2020 out; scientists, lecturers get juicy pay rise

24th May 2020 at 10:45
Pregnant woman

Shock as 17-year old boy impregnates his two sisters during Covid-19 lockdown 

17th June 2020 at 08:17
Sudhir Ruparelia is set to speak at business forum in United Kingdom

Billionaire Sudhir’s wisdom on how to invest in real estate

0

How a boy’s destiny turned from cotton grower to communications guru

0
RDC George Owanyi engaging the meeting

Nakapiripirit RDC George Owanyi teams up with Karamoja Anti-Corruption Coalition to intensify fight against corruption 

30th June 2025 at 09:21

RICHARD BYAMUKAMA: The Legitimacy of South Sudan’s Government Hangs in the Balance

29th June 2025 at 23:59

© 2025 Watchdog Uganda

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • National
    • Politics
    • World News
    • Media Outreach Newswire
    • Africa News
    • Tourism
    • Community News
    • Luganda
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Motorsport
  • Op-Ed
    • #Out2Lunch
    • Conversations with
    • Politics
    • Relationships
  • Business
    • Agriculture
    • CEOs & Entrepreneurs,
    • Companies
    • Finance
    • Products
    • RealEstate
    • Technology
  • Entertainment
    • Lifestyle
  • People
    • Showbiz
      • Salon Mag
  • Special Report
    • Education
    • Voices
  • Reviews
    • Products
    • Events
    • Hotels
    • Restaurants
    • Places
  • WD-TV
  • Donate
  • China News

© 2025 Watchdog Uganda