KAMPALA —Government has postponed the deadline for phasing out the use of Machine-readable Passports in the country— quoting restrictions brought about by COVID-19.
Dr. Benon Mutambi, the Permanent Secretary of the Internal Affairs Ministry in a statement on Friday indicated the arrangement could not be achieved without inconveniencing the public, due to the disruptions brought about by COVID-19.
Government issued a notification of a two-year transition period to phase out the Machine-Readable Passports by January 31, 2021 but authorities say the development high a dead end and that they have since resolved to extend the phase out period from January 31, 2021 to April 4, 2022.
“We would like to notify the public of the decision to extend the phase out period from 31st January 2021 to 4th April 2022. The Government of the Republic of Uganda wishes to inform all citizens that the Machine-Readable Passports will continue to be used as a valid travel document alongside the new International e-Passport until 4th April 2022,”Mr. Mutambi indicated.
He urged the public to take note of the new deadline.
He added: “All citizens who have not yet changed to the new international e-Passport are encouraged to use this window of opportunity to migrate to the new e-Passport to avoid any inconveniences related to the new deadline”
