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Ministry of Internal Affairs has completed an upgrade of the current Paper-based e-passports to Polycarbonate e-passports to meet international standards. The new features make the EAC e-Passport suitable for use at e-gates for self-clearance, easy and automated issuance of boarding passes; quick passenger processing worldwide (for ICAO member states); and full compliance with international security standards, hence easing traveller experience.

On June 26th, 2023, the Ministry of Internal Affairs successfully concluded the upgrade of paper-based e-passports to polycarbonate e-passports, aligning with international standards.

The aim of this upgrade is to ensure enhanced security features, durability as well as conforming to the standard requirements as recommended by EAC and International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). This implies better quality, easy data verification at various airports of ICAO members states, better data protection and minimal chances of damage. 

Mr. Simon Peter Mundeyi spokesperson for the Ministry of Internal Affairs, while addressing a press conference yesterday, June 26, 2023, has said that Ugandan passports are of internationally acceptable standards.

The upgraded Polycarbonate passports, just like the e-paper passports have an electromagnetic chip. e-Polycarbonate passports however have polycarbonate (tough plastic) layers infused together, leading to a finished material where personal data is engraved inside the deeper layers of the document with laser. This cannot be delaminated. This gives the new e-polycarbonate passport the resilience and robustness for data security and protection, with strong anti-fraud features. 

These features make the EAC e-Passport suitable for use at e-gates for self-clearance, easy and automated issuance of boarding passes; quick passenger processing worldwide (for ICAO member states); and full compliance with international security standards, hence easing traveller experience. Travel, specifically document verification is going to be easier and seamless than ever before, due to improved technology. 

Mundeyi’s statements are in response to Denmark’s decision to reject the current Ugandan Polycarbonate E-passports being issued and prefer the old type.

“There have been rumours on social media about Denmark rejecting our polycarbonate e-passports, so we contacted the Danish officials and the authorities who work there; we talked to them about it, and they clarified that there is some data on our system that they need to verify first.

This came to light after some Ugandans got stranded due to their failure to acquire clearance to travel to Denmark. On probing, they were informed that the Danish embassy was not recognizing the polycarbonate E-passports.

According to the Danish ambassador to Uganda, Singe Winding Albjerg, Denmark is not recognizing the Polycarbonate E-passports that were printed before the new type rolled out in 2019. He however said the authorities have started the verification procedures.

“The embassy has received a specimen from the Ugandan authorities, and according to standard Danish procedures, they have subsequently forwarded it to the relevant and competent Danish authorities for verification and acknowledgement, and that process is standard and it’s still ongoing,” said Alberg.

Mudeyi further revealed that so far, 98 Ugandans have used those Polycarbonate E-passports to travel to Denmark, and about 7000 Ugandans have travelled to various parts of the world using the same.

“We urge people to be patient as the Embassy verifies in two weeks, officials in the Nairobi Embassy, which handles the visa applications, will be done, and Ugandans will travel with ease, once verification is done,” said Mundeyi.

The introduction of the polycarbonate e-passports is expected to ease traveller experience, improve document verification, and enhance travel security for Ugandan citizens.