By Spy Uganda
The Ministry of Internal Affairs has already launched an investigation into how certain Ugandans have obtained diplomatic passports, which are intended solely for diplomats and specific government officials.
This issue gained attention after Mr. Rugiirwa Katatumba, son of the late businessman Bonney Katatumba, was spotted on social media displaying what appeared to be a diplomatic passport, despite not holding any diplomatic position.
Mr. Simon Mundeyi, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Internal Affairs, confirmed that Mr. Katatumba has been summoned multiple times to explain how he obtained the diplomatic passport in question but has yet to respond.
“We want Mr. Katatumba to clarify how he came into possession of this diplomatic passport. It is important for the public to know that diplomatic passports are not available to just any Ugandan,” Mr. Mundeyi emphasized.
He further explained, “We have no record of issuing a diplomatic passport to Mr. Katatumba. On April 10, 2021, he applied for and was issued an ordinary passport, which is valid until 2031. We need him to account for the diplomatic passport he has been seen with.”
Diplomatic passports are given to government workers like the President, First Lady, Speaker of Parliament, Deputy Speaker, Chief Justice, ministers, permanent secretaries, Bank Governors and Deputy Governors, chancellors, vice chancellors, and recognized cultural leaders among other diplomats.
Giving diplomatic passports to ordinary individuals like Katatumba more over who is famous in criminology circles can pose several risks as summarized below:
Misuse of Privileges: Diplomatic passports grant special privileges, such as immunity from certain legal actions and easier travel. Ordinary people might misuse these benefits, leading to legal and diplomatic issues for the country.
Security Risks: Diplomatic passports can be attractive targets for theft or forgery. If ordinary individuals are given such passports, it could increase the risk of security breaches or misuse in illegal activities.
Undermining Diplomatic Integrity: The issuance of diplomatic passports is typically reserved for diplomats and officials who represent their countries. Issuing them to ordinary people could undermine the credibility and integrity of the diplomatic system.
Diplomatic Tensions: The improper use of diplomatic passports by individuals who are not trained or vetted diplomats could lead to diplomatic incidents or strained relations between countries.
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