The Ugandan Directorate of Immigration is currently facing a critical storage crisis due to a significant backlog of uncollected passports. Across five centers located in Kampala, Jinja, Gulu, Mbarara, and Mbale, over 50,000 passports, some dating back to 2018, remain unclaimed.

Simon Mudenyi, spokesperson for the Ministry of Internal Affairs, has expressed deep concern about this issue. The sheer volume of unclaimed passports has led to a storage crunch, severely impacting the Directorate’s ability to process new applications promptly.

A major challenge exacerbating the situation is communication difficulties. Many passport holders are unreachable due to inactive phone numbers or failed attempts at delivering messages. This communication breakdown has made it incredibly challenging for authorities to inform individuals about their unclaimed passports. Additionally, the recent addition of 2,000 unclaimed passports from 2024 has further compounded the problem. To address this backlog and ensure efficient processing for new applicants, the public is strongly urged to collect their passports promptly. Mudenyi stresses that the claim process is straightforward and encourages passport holders to come forward promptly.

Efforts are underway within the Directorate of Immigration to enhance communication channels and expedite the retrieval of unclaimed passports. However, immediate action is necessary to alleviate the strain on resources and prevent further escalation of the situation.