By Spy Uganda
The Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control (DCIC) has summoned Mr. Rugiirwa Katatumba, the son of the late Boney Katatumba, a former Pakistani ambassador, to clarify how he got a diplomatic passport he has been bragging with on social media. Rugiirwa, a sibling of singer Angella Katatumba, caused a public stir when he showed off a red passport online. In response, the Ministry of Internal Affairs strongly refuted any authorization of the passport’s issuance.
“People might want to show off on social media with a red passport, but we will now ask the police to investigate and have this individual produce the passport he is displaying so we can verify its authenticity,” said Ministry spokesperson Simon Mundeyi adding;
“The passport he is displaying on social media may have come from Nasser Road or could belong to a parent. He did not open it for inspection. For someone to hold a diplomatic passport, they must be of high standing in society or hold a significant office.”
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.
Sources first claimed that it was the Internal Affairs Minister Gen. Kahinda Otafiire who was a close friend of his father Katatumba, who recommended him for a red passport. However, via phone interview, Otafiire last week distanced self ever recommending Rugiirwa for a red passport. “I worked in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Now forget that I am the Minister for Internal Affairs. I am a former diplomat. I know how these things are done. Even children of diplomats don’t get diplomatic passports once they turn 18. At 18, they get their ordinary passports, so I was his father’s friend who was a diplomat, not him. I have no idea how he got the passport,” he said.
Now that he is summoned, Ugandans should wait for answers on how he got this passport.
Katatumba Holding A Diplomatic Passport Is So Risky For Uganda
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.
