Not so many months back, the government of Uganda through the ministry of travels and internal affairs introduced a new method of applying for a Ugandan e-passport. This simplified everything for Ugandans since the old manual processes were tiresome and expensive.
These are some of the fruits of the introduction of National IDs. These small cards bare lots of information that we no longer have to visit any Local Council Authorities (LCs) or Government Internal Security Officer (GISO) while applying for Ugandan Passports. So you can now smile.
However today, I will take you through some of the things you need to know about a Ugandan e-passport before you go on and apply for one. There isn’t any way I can talk about this without mentioning the new process on How to apply for the Ugandan passport online; all the same, it takes us to the Ugandan e-passports. So, seat still while I guide you there.
Two years back still, the Ugandan government had something to improve in its travel agency when it introduced electronic Ugandan e-passports. Technology is taking up the whole world; therefore it’s important to centralize all data that is vital to the government and any other entity. This could be what the government of Uganda is doing.
Old Passports to be phased out in January 2021
It is now clear that the Ministry of Internal Affairs has set a period to see all old passports phase out in the country. This means that once this period of a year years elapses, everyone in Uganda shall only be allowed to travel if he owns the new EAC e-Passport. There everyone who owns an old version of the Ugandan Passport is requested to do a renewal to be able to acquire the new Ugandan e-passport.
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Types of Ugandan e-passports
In Uganda today, we have two types of passports. Originally we had a single type that everyone is familiar with. Currently, with the centralization of data and improvement of the country’s technology, we are seeing a new advanced type of passport that everyone is required to have by 2021. This is called the EAC e-passport.
In this part of this article, we shall focus more on the new passport-type, which is the EAC e-passport (after all, it’s the new thing in town).
The old single type passport is to be faded away, so make sure you grab yourself the new EAC passport.
The new EAC e-passport (Ugandan e-passport)
The new EAC e-passport has an embedded chip carrying all bio-data plus biometric data of an individual/owner present on your National ID. Just like the old version, the EAC bears the Coat of Arms, the Crested Crane, the Mountain Gorilla, the Independence Monument, Murchison Falls, and a Fisherman.
Key features of the EAC e-passport
Let’s see the key features of the new Ugandan e-passport everyone is talking about. Some of these are security features that make it machine-readable. Some chips are invisible but embedded within the passport.
ICAO chip symbol
On the cover is the ICAO chip symbol that is an indication that it’s an e-passport. It is that lower rectangular golden strip with the circle in-between on the cover of the passport.
Embedded chip and antenna
This is the most important feature of the EAC e-passport. It’s this feature that makes the whole document an e-passport as it carries all your bio-data, thus being readable and accessible by the machine.
The Ultra Violet (UV) Index
As the name suggests, it’s an Ultra Violet indexed page. These digits are vertically placed on each page and the machines can easily detect a missing or misplaced page of your e-passport booklet.
Data page
Here you will find the usual data readable to human eyes. It has more advanced features rather, which might not really be clear at just a mere glance. This page has got a hot lamination security foil covering it just to ensure maximum protection of data on this page.
Before applying for the Ugandan e-passport, you should have these documents. These shall be attached to your application form, with all the other details of applying for the Ugandan e-passport.
- An original and copy of the National ID of the Recommender
- An original and copy National ID or National Identification Number
- Copies of academic documents for proof of profession (if applicable)
- Attach proof of payment of prescribed fees (After you complete Step 5 of the application process below)
- A copy of a birth certificate, adoption order consent letter from parents/guardians in case of minors
- Attach any other information that may be relevant to the application
Simple steps to apply for a Ugandan e-passport online
- Create an account and Log into the Passport portal here www.passports.go.ug
- The next step is all about Terms and conditions just accept and continue
- There are a few security questions that are displayed, answer them correctly and proceed.
- Now it’s time to start filling in the application form, it’s a long one so prepare all necessary information earlier on.
- After filling in everything, you will be required to print the Passport Application Payment Advice Form and proceed to any bank of your choice to deposit and make payments for the passport type.
- Schedule appointment for a date of your convenience using the schedule appointment link on the home page
- Go on and print the Passport Application Appointment Form
- Report to the selected passport Centre with the passport appointment form with the appropriate application requirements displayed on the website, for enrolment.
Reviewed Passport fee structure
- Ordinary Passport (48 Pages) – UGX 250,000
- Service Passport (64 Pages) – UGX 400,000
- Diplomatic Passport (64 Pages) – UGX 500,000
- Express Processing Service – UGX 150,000
- Courier service for Applicants Abroad -UGX 10,000
- Certification of Passport UGX -30,000
- Replacement of lost/damaged Passport -UGX 100,000
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