Regional offices start issuing passports

By Brian Mayanja and Samuel Balagadde

A major shakeup promised by new internal affairs minister Gen. Aronda Nyakairima is already being seen. Effective next month, regional  offices will start issuing passports.

The ministry will first open offices in Mbarara and Mbale districts, a move aimed at streamlining service delivery. Jacob Siminyu, the ministry’s public relations officer, said the offices will be fully-fledged operational passport offices.

“They will be established to reduce the congestion at the headquarters. We are also easing the process of  acquiring the passport, by posting the application form online,” Siminyu said.

Saturday Vision also learnt this week that security has been tightened, with new guidelines for the public to access the ministry’s offices in Kampala. Those who want to get passports can access the premises using the new entrance, which is now on Old Port Bell Road.

This is where the passport application forms are now being issued out. The main entrance on Jinja Road remains for the VIPs. It is now harder to access the premises.

Only those with genuine reasons are allowed to access the premises, unlike before. Siminyu explained that they blocked the entrance on Jinja Road from the public because it was causing traffic jam on the main road.

“The new changes are to improve on safety and security. Since we receive an overwhelming number  of people applying for passports, they cannot be handled at a single entrance,’ said Siminyu.

Aronda, who told his staff recently that he was on special assignment, promised to launch an audit into the directorate of immigration, which has been accused of issuing passports to foreigners.