Concerns Rise as 10,000 Foreign Nationals Found with Authentic National IDs Attempt to Obtain Passports

The Ministry of Internal Affairs has revealed that around 10,000 foreign nationals have been discovered in possession of authentic Ugandan national IDs, which they were attempting to use to obtain Ugandan passports. This issue has raised concerns about the misuse of the country's passport system for personal gain. The Ministry's spokesperson, Simon Mundeyi, stated that the confiscated national IDs have been returned to the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) for cancellation.

Mundeyi explained that the surge in foreigners seeking Ugandan passports has been driven by their desire to exploit the country's sought-after digital passport for their own purposes. The Ministry has observed a significant number of foreigners attempting to acquire these passports using fraudulently obtained documents, including legitimate national IDs issued through improper means.

Several recent cases have emerged, including Nigerians and a Congolese national found trying to use Ugandan national IDs to acquire passports. The individuals were discovered during the application process, with one of them admitting to the fraudulent use of a national ID. This growing trend of foreign nationals acquiring Ugandan national IDs and passports is causing concern, particularly in light of upcoming elections in 2026.

Foreign criminals, notably those involved in drug trafficking, have previously been caught with Ugandan passports to conceal their true identities. This has led to increased scrutiny of Ugandan passport issuance and the potential for exploitation by criminal elements. The resemblance between Nigerians and Ugandans has further facilitated the use of Ugandan passports by traffickers seeking to evade strict entry regulations in other countries.

In response, the Ministry of Internal Affairs is taking action to address the misuse of Ugandan national IDs and passports by foreigners, aiming to safeguard the integrity of the country's identification and immigration systems.