Yesterday, at a press conference held at the Police Headquarters in Uganda, the Ministry of Internal Affairs issued a statement addressing the replacement of lost passports by Ugandan citizens residing abroad. The spokesperson, Mundeyi Simon Peter, emphasized that henceforth, the replacement of lost passports can only be facilitated within Uganda and not in the host countries where the loss occurred.
The decision to enforce this policy stems from a series of concerns regarding the integrity of Ugandan passports. Investigations revealed a disturbing racket involving both Ugandan nationals and individuals from other countries. These individuals were illicitly selling Ugandan passports to fraudsters, who then exploited them for criminal activities. This unethical practice not only tarnished the reputation of Ugandan passports but also jeopardized the security of international travel.
Of particular concern was the exploitation of loopholes in certain countries’ identification systems, where distinguishing between Africans, including altered passport holders, proved challenging. Criminal elements capitalized on this vulnerability by using genuine passports acquired through illicit means to perpetrate crimes. Consequently, blame often fell unjustly on Ugandan nationals, even when they were innocent bystanders.
To address these alarming developments and safeguard the credibility of Ugandan passports, authorities collaborated with international partners and affected countries. The consensus was reached that individuals who have lost their passports must return to Uganda for replacement. This measure not only facilitates comprehensive investigations into each case but also serves as a deterrent to those involved in passport fraud.
Mundeyi reiterated the government’s commitment to combating passport fraud and ensuring that Ugandan passport holders can travel with confidence worldwide.
The Ministry is urging all Ugandan citizens to comply with the new regulations saying efforts are underway to enhance collaboration with international partners to further strengthen passport security measures and prevent similar incidents in the future.
