The Ugandan Directorate of Immigration finds itself in a storage quandary due to a substantial backlog of unclaimed passports. Spread across five centers in Kampala, Jinja, Gulu, Mbarara, and Mbale, over 50,000 passports, with some dating back to 2018, remain untouched.

Simon Mudenyi, spokesperson for the Ministry of Internal Affairs, has expressed serious concerns over this issue. The sheer number of unclaimed passports has created a storage crunch, significantly impeding the Directorate’s ability to process new applications promptly.

Communication hurdles pose a significant challenge. Many passport holders cannot be reached due to inactive phone numbers or failed delivery attempts of messages. This communication breakdown has made it exceedingly difficult for authorities to inform individuals about their unclaimed passports. Furthermore, the recent addition of 2,000 unclaimed passports from 2024 has exacerbated the problem. To address this backlog and ensure efficient processing for new applicants, the public is strongly urged to collect their passports promptly. Mudenyi emphasizes that the claim process is straightforward and urges passport holders to come forward promptly.

The Directorate of Immigration is actively working to enhance communication channels and expedite the retrieval of unclaimed passports. However, immediate action is crucial to alleviate the strain on resources and prevent further escalation of the situation.