MPs concerned over delayed official passports, oversight trips

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A section of Members of Parliament (MPs) has asked the government to expedite the issuance of official passports.

The concerns were raised during an orientation session held on Thursday, May 28, 2026, at Parliament’s South Wing parking space.

Speaking during the session, Maruzi North lawmaker Bernard Otim said that despite assurances from the authorities, the process remains delayed.

“A letter was actually written by the Office of the Clerk and signed by the Clerk himself to Internal Affairs. I paid the required fee, but when I reached there, I was told, first of all; gazettement which did pass. I was later told to wait for the swearing-in, which passed, then later I am told to wait for June. My question is, why all these delays, and what are your remedies?” Otim wondered.

It should be noted that MPs, university chancellors, heads of government departments, members of permanent commissions, the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, the Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Church, the Archbishop of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, the Patriarch of the Orthodox Church, the Supreme Mufti, among others, are entitled to green service passports.

For lawmakers, these passports are valid only for the duration of their term in office and cease to operate upon leaving office or retirement. These travel documents also come with certain visa privileges compared to ordinary passports.

Parliament apologised over the delays and pledged to follow up on the matter with its protocol team.

Some of the Members of Parliament during an orientation session held on Thursday, May 28, 2026, at Parliament’s South Wing parking space. (Courtesy)

(Courtesy)

Oversight trips

Kassanda Woman MP Rebecca Atukunda questioned how the 12th Parliament would ensure equal travel opportunities for all its 529 lawmakers.

“You talked about travelling, and you said that travelling will depend on the committees. I happen to know that members are many, the committees are few. Are we going to be travelling in shifts or will a few benefit?” Atukunda asked.

She was joined by Robert Ssewagudde (PWDs, NRM), who questioned the limits of the Speaker’s powers.

“When you look at the office of the Speaker, is there any limitation to the powers of the Speaker. Secondly, when you look at us, as Members of Parliament, we apply to the Speaker for approvals and all that. Who oversees the work of the Speaker?” Ssewagudde probed.

MPs’ allowances

Drawing from a previous interview, New Vision conducted with former Erute South MP Jonathan Odur, each MP was eligible for sh50,000 per committee sitting, in addition to refreshments and snacks.

With the average number of lawmakers on a committee standing at 32, about sh2 million to sh3 million was being spent per committee sitting in Parliament at the time.

On oversight trips, Odur revealed that “Parliament (inland field oversight visits) attracts per diem of sh400,000 per MP per day. Most field activities last 3-5 days. Foreign oversight trips attract per diem of $720 (sh2.68million) per MP and $400 (roughly sh1.5million) per staff. Air tickets depend on the destination.”