Kampala, Uganda – The Ministry of Internal Affairs has issued a travel advisory warning citizens traveling within East Africa to renew their expired National Identity Cards or obtain temporary certificate of identity to avoid restrictions.
This comes after several Ugandan citizens were denied entry into Kenya due to expired IDs, sparking concerns among travelers.
“We have received and noted challenges faced by Ugandan travelers to Kenya and Rwanda using the national identity cards” said the spokesperson of internal affairs Ministry, Simon Peter Mundeyi
“Despite the One year extension, national IDs with face value expired status are being rejected by authorities across the border, sometimes resulting into additional fees to citizens using those IDs to travel there.” He added
To address the issue, the Ministry has urged the travelling citizens with expired National identity cards to turn to other means like the passports and temporary certificates from the ministry.
“We advise travellers to use passports and those who don’t have them can apply and acquire certificates of identity which are also available at inland borders and offices across the country.” Mundeyi emphasized
Mundeyi emphasized that the certificate of identity only enables travellers heading to East Africa and COMESA member countries.
“The certificate of identity costs UGX. 40,000 only. Applicants are required to provide their national identity cards or any other document that shows that they are Ugandan citizens.” He said
According to Mundeyi, the one-year extension of National Identity Card expiry remains unchanged regardless of the challenges at stake.
“We want to notify that going to Kenya or Rwanda with the National IDs is still in effect, for only those with IDs that aren’t expired. For those which expired IDs are advised to use other documents other than the National Identity Cards because of the above challenges.”
He However, urged all citizens to fully participate in the upcoming mass renewal and registration exercise for the National Identity Cards.
