Use Passports – Govt Tells Cross-Border Travellers With Expired Ids

Ugandan travelers heading to Kenya and Rwanda are facing challenges with their National IDs, despite a one-year extension on the ID’s validity.

The issue arises when travelers with expired IDs try to cross the border, only to be turned away or forced to pay additional fees.

To avoid these issues, the Ministry of Internal Affairs suggests using passports or Certificate of Identity instead.

“To avoid similar travel disruptions, we advise travelers to use passports. Alternatively, those without passports can obtain a Certificate of Identity, available at inland borders and offices nationwide for only 40,000 shillings,” said Simon Mundeyi the ministry of internal affairs spokesperson on Monday.

He noted the Certificate of Identity allows travel to East Africa and COMESA member countries, and can be obtained by presenting a copy of your National ID or proof of Ugandan citizenship.

The Ministry urges Ugandans to participate in the upcoming national ID mass renewal and registration exercise, as most National IDs issued in 2014 have expired, and renewal is essential to avoid travel disruptions.

“As you’re aware, the Minister of Internal Affairs extended the validity of national IDs by one year. We now urge all citizens to take advantage of this period to visit NIRA and renew their national IDs,” said Mundeyi

In related developments the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Uganda is facing a major backlog of 15,000 passports due to incorrect information provided by applicants.

According to Internal Affairs spokesperson, Simon Mundeyi, the mistakes include parents applying for their children’s passports but entering their own names instead of the children’s.

Mundeyi says to process a passport for minors, required documents include the child’s birth certificate and copies of both parents’ national IDs.

He also noted some Ugandans are also applying for diplomatic passports without qualifying for them, adding to the backlog. Mundeyi noted that over 3,000 applications fall into this category.

To resolve the issue, the Ministry urges individuals who provided incorrect information to submit new applications with fresh payments.