Uganda’s internal affairs Minister Gen Jeje Odongo last year in December unveiled the first batch for Electronic Passports as the newest form of travel document to be used by Ugandan nationals traveling in and out of the country. He further announced that a total of upto 24,000 E-Passports had already been produced first following the Migration from ordinary passports to E-Passports so as to simplify travel though issuing these passports will commence in 2021.
However, did you know the new Electronic passport has new features that you need to know. Today, we review some of them here as verified according to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
Below is what will simplify Travel for Ugandans using the new Electronic Passport;
Transition from Machine Readable Passport to Electronic Machine Readable Passport
Our current traditional passport called the Machine Readable Passport (MRP) only holds traditional text information, a photo and the ghost image of the holder as it does not have biometric features that can identify with the genuine owner which the new E-Passport will have.
According to the International Civil Aviation Authority (ICAO) in its document 9303, they revealed recommended specifications for Electronic Machine Readable travel documents (e-MRTDs) or e-travel documents. According to the set standards, the travel document must have special biometric features that specifically identifies the passport with its holder as such, there’s guaranteed security of travel.
However, there are several types of biometric security features and they vary from facial scan, finger prints, iris scan, retinal scan, body odour and voice recognition. The current Ugandan database has finger prints which will be used for secure recognition.
Safe and Guaranteed Travel
The Electronic passport acceptance globally is based on its capacity to provide secure identification of the holder as it limits chances of forgery on biometric data stored in the passport by fraudsters which sometimes happens to be the case with a Machine Readable Passport (Traditional Passport).
It also guarantees the privacy of the passport holder as it limits chances for identity theft and tremendously facilitates handling of entry and exit at border airports and points of entry.
The e-passport is designed to enhance secure travel for the traveller, the airline and immigration and border security agencies because it is extremely difficult to change data, which is held on the e-passport, making it almost impossible for forgery to take place.
Reduced time at Crossing Points
Contrary to the traditional passport where citizens have to interact with immigration officers, the e-passport reduces the time spent interacting with immigration officers as citizens leaving or entering the country can freely do so without directly interaction with immigration officers using e-gates as the government of Uganda will soon install automated e-gates at Entebbe International Airport.
Integrity of a Ugandan Passport
The new Electronic passport will enhance the integrity of Uganda’s Passport Worldwide across embassies and Airlines, Airlines check in as well as immigration border/airport controls shall be less intensive and after government installs e-gates as planned for at Entebbe Airport, personalised Ugandans returning home will get excited entering their own country.
Security measures to Curb Imposters
E-gates will automatically stop those entering using a forged passport as those intending to use passports that don’t belong to them are in trouble.
The integration between National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) and Immigration shall facilitate Ugandans to apply for passports online.
E-Passport designed with Special Chip
One should be reminded that the Electronic passport has a special chip which holds special information concerning the owner and is printed on the data page such as the holder’s name, date-of-birth among others in addition to other secure biographic information such as fingerprints.
E-Passport Data linked to National Identification Number (NIN)
Some people using a traditional personalised passport could easily impose a forged biometric film on the bio- data page or certainly use the passport with knowledge that immigration authorities outside Africa may not be able to identify Africans, this is a failed move as the new passport will be linked to the holder using security features and the National Identification Number.
Cost of the E- Passport
According to the Minister for Internal Affairs Gen Jeje Odongo, the new Electronic passport will cost Shs250, 000 contrary to the current Shs150, 000 for ordinary citizens, Shs200, 000 for Officials and Shs400, 000 Diplomats. However, the old passports will still be valid for more two years before they get phased out.
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