KAMPALA – Government has announced that manual passport system will effective December 31 be out of use and all applicants will be expected to apply for the same using the online process.
Speaking at the launch of the new e-passport portal in Kampala on Thursday, December 19, 2019, the minister of State for Internal Affairs, Mr Mario Obiga Kania, said the new system is faster, accurate and convenient.
“The new e-passport application will reduce congestion seen at the passport office. It eliminates chances of foreigners obtaining Ugandan passports as it has thorough check and interaction with other government agencies relevant to application verification,” Mr Kania said.
The minister explained that the online system offers a variety of payment methods such mobile money, electronic fund transfer and visa cards.
“You do not need a middleman or an agent to access this facility. Go online, make the application, pay and finally come with your details and you will be served,” Mr Kania said.
He explained that even those who already paid the Shs150,000 for manual passports but are year to receive them must still apply online and pay the new full amount fees of Shs250,000 for the ordinary ones and then demanded to be refunded by URA.
Under the online system, an applicant is required to log onto the portal and accept the terms, choose the type of service and fill in the passport application form.
The applicant would then choose the mode of payment, print out the application ID with the payment registration number (PRN) and pay using the payment mode of their choice.
After payment, the applicant will access their account and schedule an appointment on the convenient date for their interview at the passport office.
They are required to come with their application ID, National ID and certificate to confirm their profession (if any) and copy of the recommender’s National ID and copy of the old passport for those renewing.