The Ministry of Internal Affairs has warned former ministers and Members of Parliament against continued use of official passports issued to them during their tenure in public office.
The ministry has directed former government officials to return the passports and acquire ordinary passports for personal travel, in line with established regulations governing official travel documents.
Speaking on the matter, the Ministry’s Public Relations Officer, Simon Mundeyi, said compliance has remained low despite repeated reminders to former office holders.
According to Mundeyi, official passports remain government property and are intended strictly for official duties while an individual is serving in public office.
“Even though these passports are valid for up to 10 years, using them after leaving office may lead to questioning or embarrassment at immigration checkpoints,” Mundeyi said.
He noted that returning the passports helps ensure compliance with international travel regulations and prevents unnecessary scrutiny by immigration authorities.
Uganda issues different categories of passports depending on the holder’s status and purpose of travel. Diplomatic passports (red) are reserved for senior government officials and diplomats, service or official passports (green) are issued to public servants and Members of Parliament travelling on official duty, while ordinary passports (blue) are designated for personal travel.
The ministry urged all former officials still in possession of official passports to surrender them and obtain ordinary passports for private travel.
