BREAKING!! Uganda Orders Former Ministers, Unelected MPs to Surrender Diplomatic Passports

The Ministry of Internal Affairs has directed former ministers and unelected Members of Parliament to immediately surrender their diplomatic passports and begin the process of obtaining ordinary travel documents, reinforcing the government’s position that such privileges end when officials leave office.

The directive was clarified by the ministry’s spokesperson, Simon Peter Mundeyi, who said diplomatic passports are issued strictly to individuals serving in designated public positions and should not be retained after their official mandates expire.

According to Mundeyi, the special status attached to diplomatic passports is linked to active government service and representation of the Ugandan state abroad. Once an individual ceases to hold the qualifying office, the entitlement to use the document automatically comes to an end.

He explained that former ministers and MPs who were not returned to Parliament or no longer occupy government positions should promptly hand over their diplomatic passports and apply for ordinary passports if they intend to continue travelling internationally.

“Privileges attached to diplomatic passports strictly expire when an individual’s term of office ends,” Mundeyi said, emphasizing that the documents are not personal benefits but official instruments tied to specific responsibilities.

The spokesperson further noted that individuals who no longer represent the government in any official capacity are not entitled to continue using diplomatic travel documents. He stressed that retaining such passports after leaving office is inconsistent with the regulations governing their issuance and use.

The announcement comes at a time when Uganda is undergoing political transitions following changes in public office, with some ministers and legislators no longer serving in the positions that previously qualified them for diplomatic travel privileges.

Diplomatic passports are typically issued to senior government officials, diplomats, and other designated state representatives to facilitate official international travel. In many countries, including Uganda, eligibility is determined by law or administrative policy and is linked to active service rather than lifetime status.

By requiring former office holders to surrender the documents, the Ministry of Internal Affairs appears to be reaffirming the principle that diplomatic privileges are attached to office rather than to the individual. Officials who remain eligible through continued service in qualifying roles are expected to retain their diplomatic passports, while those whose terms have ended are required to transition to standard travel documentation.

Mundeyi urged affected individuals to cooperate with the directive and complete the necessary procedures without delay. He reiterated that the ministry expects all former ministers and unelected MPs who no longer qualify for diplomatic status to comply with the requirements by returning the passports and applying for ordinary ones through the appropriate channels.

The clarification also serves as a reminder that diplomatic passports are intended for official government functions and should not be viewed as permanent personal entitlements. The ministry maintains that proper management of such documents is important for preserving the integrity of Uganda’s passport system and ensuring compliance with established regulations.

While the directive may require a number of former officials to update their travel documentation, the Ministry of Internal Affairs has framed the move as a routine enforcement of existing rules governing diplomatic passports rather than the introduction of a new policy.

As the transition continues, affected former office holders are expected to regularize their status by surrendering the diplomatic passports issued during their tenure and obtaining ordinary passports for future personal travel.