Uganda’s passport issuance services have been temporarily suspended at Kyambogo in Kampala and Jinja following a fibre cable cut that disrupted operations at the two centres. The disruption has left passport applicants unable to receive services at the affected offices as technical teams work to restore normal operations. The development could inconvenience travellers who had planned to collect their passports or complete urgent travel arrangements.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs, through the National Citizenship and Immigration Control (NCIC), confirmed that the Kyambogo Passport Issuance Centre, formerly known as Face Technologies, had temporarily stopped operating due to the technical problem. The centre is one of the locations used by Ugandans seeking to obtain their passports, making the interruption a concern for applicants who depend on its services.
In a statement issued on Thursday, October 22, 2026, the immigration authorities explained that the fibre cable cut had affected passport issuance at Kyambogo. The technical failure has disrupted the systems required to process and issue travel documents, forcing the centre to suspend its operations until the problem is resolved.
The Jinja Regional Passport Office has also been affected by technical difficulties, which have halted passport production and issuance. Applicants who had expected to receive their passports from the office may therefore need to make alternative arrangements as they wait for the authorities to restore services. However, the ministry has not announced when the two affected centres are expected to resume normal operations.
Despite the disruption, the Ministry of Internal Affairs has assured the public that passport services remain available at other locations across the country. Applicants can seek assistance at the ministry’s headquarters in Kampala and regional passport offices in Mbale, Gulu, Mbarara and Arua. These centres provide alternatives for people who may be unable to access services at Kyambogo and Jinja.
Immigration spokesperson Simon Peter Mundeyi said technical teams were working together with service providers to address the problem and restore services as quickly as possible. He explained that the authorities were making every effort to resolve the technical challenge, although the exact time required to complete the repairs had not been communicated.
Mundeyi apologised to applicants affected by the suspension and called for patience as the technical teams worked to restore operations. The temporary closure could particularly affect people with scheduled trips, employment opportunities abroad, studies or other commitments requiring valid travel documents. Applicants are therefore encouraged to seek updates from the ministry before travelling to the affected offices.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs has urged members of the public who need further information to use its official communication channels or contact the ministry on 0417102600. Meanwhile, the cause of the fibre cable cut and the timeline for restoring passport issuance at Kyambogo and Jinja remain unclear. Applicants are advised to consider the available alternative centres and confirm service availability before making their travel arrangements.
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