Mundeyi emphasized that official passports remain the property of the Government of Uganda and are issued strictly for use by individuals actively serving in designated public offices.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs has directed former Members of Parliament and ministers who have since left public office to surrender official passports issued to them during their tenure and apply for ordinary passports, as authorities intensify enforcement of regulations governing government travel documents.
Speaking on the matter, the Ministry’s Public Relations Officer, Simon Mundeyi, said compliance with the directive remains low despite repeated reminders to former officials to return the passports once they leave office.
Among those affected are former legislators and ministers, including Hon. Muhammad Nsereko, Hon. Mathias Mpuuga and Hon. Nsibambi, among others who previously held positions that entitled them to official government passports.
Mundeyi emphasized that official passports remain the property of the Government of Uganda and are issued strictly for use by individuals actively serving in designated public offices. He noted that retaining such documents after leaving office is contrary to established regulations.
“The official passport is not a personal document. It is issued to facilitate official government duties and must be returned once the holder ceases to serve in the office that qualified them to receive it,” Mundeyi said.
The Ministry has urged all former public officials still in possession of official passports to hand them over without delay and follow the required procedures to obtain ordinary passports for personal travel.
The move is part of broader efforts by the government to strengthen accountability and ensure proper management of official travel documents. Authorities say enforcement of the directive will continue as they seek full compliance from all former office bearers.
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