KAMPARA, Uganda — President Yoweri Museveni has issued an executive order mandating a comprehensive review of the passport and national ID document issuance process in line with numerous complaints regarding the treatment of applicants by immigration and identification authorities.
In his order, Museveni emphasized that the issue lies not in the law, but in its implementation. “I have received consistent complaints about how passport applicants are being treated by the relevant authorities,” he said.
The order reaffirms that all Ugandan citizens are entitled to passports and the right to enter and depart the country without unnecessary restrictions. Instructs the Office of Citizenship and Immigration Management (DCIC) to strictly adhere to Section 40 of the Citizenship and Immigration Management Act. Additional requirements must be formally published and legally justified.
Museveni also noted that citizenship at birth is essential and emphasized that immigrant staff should not exceed their authority in determining citizenship.
“There must be a presumption of citizenship unless the immigration officer has any cabled and reliable evidence that the information submitted by the applicant is false,” he said.
