Diaspora Ugandans can apply for passports without IDs - top envoy

Ugandans in the Diaspora whose passports expired or lost them can now apply for new ones even without being in possession of National Identification cards (IDs).

According to the Ugandan Mission in South Africa, those without passports can apply online since they need them in countries where they are based.

Kintu Nyago, the deputy head of mission in South Africa, said all Ugandans in the diaspora have a leeway to renew and apply for passports without necessarily worrying about IDs.

He was addressing the National Resistance Movement Africa Chapter when he revealed the new development.

"As long as you are a Ugandan and you have supporting documents, you can apply for a passport without a National Identification Number (NIN)," he said.

Nyago also encouraged them to apply through the mission, saying it was easier than travelling to Uganda to get a passport.

Meanwhile, as the mission plans to resume registration for IDs, all those who intend to register will be required to have a medical report that shows one tested negative for COVID-19, according to Nyago.

"We plan to open registration again for those who want IDs, we cannot suspend that indefinitely because this disease might take long to be driven out completely. So we have to learn to live with it. We require a medical report for the hospital showing one is negative so that we don't have a second wave of infections," he explained.

Harriet Nakiwala has lived in South Africa for over 10 years now. Her passport expired a year ago but she could not renew it because she does not have an ID. The mother of five welcomed the news of applying for a passport without necessarily having an ID.