The Ugandan Directorate of Immigration is currently grappling with a storage dilemma caused by a substantial accumulation of uncollected passports. With over 50,000 passports dating back to 2018 left unclaimed across five centers situated in Kampala, Jinja, Gulu, Mbarara, and Mbale, the situation has become a pressing concern.

Simon Mudenyi, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Internal Affairs, has voiced apprehension regarding the matter. The sheer volume of unclaimed passports has led to a storage crunch, impeding future processing endeavors.

One of the primary challenges faced by immigration authorities is communication obstacles. Many passport holders have proven unreachable due to inactive phone numbers or failed attempts at delivering messages. This predicament has made it significantly challenging for authorities to notify individuals about their unclaimed passports. Compounding this issue is the addition of 2,000 unclaimed passports from 2024, further exacerbating the backlog. In light of this, the public is strongly encouraged to collect their passports promptly. Mudenyi underscores that the process for claiming passports is straightforward and urges holders to step forward without delay.

To tackle the backlog effectively and streamline the processing of new applications, the Directorate of Immigration is actively seeking to enhance communication channels. Nevertheless, immediate action is imperative to alleviate the strain on immigration resources and prevent further escalation of the situation.