Crackdown on Fake Diplomatic Passports: Uganda Police Issues Stern Warning
By The Public Lens
Uganda’s Police Spokesperson, Kituuma Rusoke, has sounded a warning to Ugandans possessing fake diplomatic passports: they will face arrest at airports or border points.
If a fake passport is detected at any location, airport police working closely with immigration authorities will take action.
Once identified as fake, the relevant authority hands over the passport to the police, who then initiate investigations.
The police cannot pursue everyone showing off a passport, but they will act when fake passports are used in official situations.
This warning comes amidst investigations into allegedly fake diplomatic passports issued to ordinary citizens.
A recent example is Rugiirwa Katatumba, who sparked public outrage after displaying a diplomatic passport on social media.
However, the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ investigation revealed that no diplomatic passport was ever issued to Rugiirwa.
Diplomatic passports are reserved for individuals holding significant public office or high standing in society.
Last year, the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control cancelled over 288 diplomatic passport applications due to ineligible applicants.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs maintains that diplomatic passports are only issued to select individuals, including the president, first lady, speaker, chief justice, ministers, and envoys.
