ISO to endorse passport forms
Mar 12, 2008
CASES of passport forgeries are on the increase due to lack of seriousness by local council (LC) leaders, the Citizens and Immigration Board head has said.
By Patrick Jaramogi
CASES of passport forgeries are on the increase due to lack of seriousness by local council (LC) leaders, the Citizens and Immigration Board head has said.
To curb the vice, Jotham Tumwesigye said the Internal Security Organisation, External Security Organisation (ESO) and district security officers would start endorsing the forms instead of LC chairmen.
“Because we don’t have national identity cards, we depend on LCs for verification but it is unfortunate that they are not doing a good job,†he said.
“Some of them are only interested in money. We have lost confidence in the passport application forms signed by them.â€
Tumwesigye was on Sunday addressing immigration and ESO officers who completed a two-month cadre development training course at the National Leadership Training Institute Kyankwanzi.
A total of 43 immigration officers and 65 ESO staff were trained in ideological development, security awareness and leadership management.
Tumwesigye said foreigners were fraudulently acquiring Ugandan passports, which they use for subversive activities.
“Some LCs endorse forms filled by aliens, this is known. We can’t rely on them any more.â€
The director of the Citizens and Immigrations Board, Godfrey Sasaga Wanzira, said between 500-1,000 passports were printed daily.
ESO deputy director general Emmy Allio advised the graduands to be vigilant to wipe out the vice.
“Foreigners are using Ugandan passports for wrong acts and we have a shortage of cadres. We pray that you help us address these issues,†Allio said.
The institute commandant, Maj. Henry Matsiko, said last year, 50 immigration officers and 99 ESO personnel received the same training.
CASES of passport forgeries are on the increase due to lack of seriousness by local council (LC) leaders, the Citizens and Immigration Board head has said.
To curb the vice, Jotham Tumwesigye said the Internal Security Organisation, External Security Organisation (ESO) and district security officers would start endorsing the forms instead of LC chairmen.
“Because we don’t have national identity cards, we depend on LCs for verification but it is unfortunate that they are not doing a good job,†he said.
“Some of them are only interested in money. We have lost confidence in the passport application forms signed by them.â€
Tumwesigye was on Sunday addressing immigration and ESO officers who completed a two-month cadre development training course at the National Leadership Training Institute Kyankwanzi.
A total of 43 immigration officers and 65 ESO staff were trained in ideological development, security awareness and leadership management.
Tumwesigye said foreigners were fraudulently acquiring Ugandan passports, which they use for subversive activities.
“Some LCs endorse forms filled by aliens, this is known. We can’t rely on them any more.â€
The director of the Citizens and Immigrations Board, Godfrey Sasaga Wanzira, said between 500-1,000 passports were printed daily.
ESO deputy director general Emmy Allio advised the graduands to be vigilant to wipe out the vice.
“Foreigners are using Ugandan passports for wrong acts and we have a shortage of cadres. We pray that you help us address these issues,†Allio said.
The institute commandant, Maj. Henry Matsiko, said last year, 50 immigration officers and 99 ESO personnel received the same training.