Incomplete Data on Incest Cases Delays 80 Passport Applications

Last updated: December 20, 2023 10:50 am

The Internal Affairs Ministry revealed that it is facing challenges in processing 80 passport applications due to incomplete information provided by applicants regarding incestuous relationships, specifically those involving children born to close relatives. Simon Peter Mundeyi, the ministry spokesman, explained that individuals are hesitant to provide accurate details about such relationships, creating complications in the passport application system.

In some cases, women have reportedly had children with their brothers or fathers, leading to discomfort in disclosing this information. Mundeyi shared an incident where a biological father had children with his daughter, further complicating the passport application process.

Mundeyi emphasized that even if a child is born out of an incestuous relationship, they are still Ugandan citizens and deserve a passport. He urged applicants to share such sensitive information privately to facilitate the passport issuance process.

In Uganda, incest, defined as sexual intercourse involving close relatives, is considered a crime under the Penal Code Act, with potential imprisonment for up to seven years or even life if the other person involved is under eighteen years of age. The 2022 Annual Crime and Road Safety Report indicated an increase in reported incest cases, with 52 cases recorded by the police in 2022, compared to 33 the previous year.

The Internal Affairs Ministry is responsible for issuing passports, and Mundeyi highlighted the need to double-check information submitted by applicants against the National Identification Registration Authority’s (NIRA) database to ensure accuracy. Applications with insufficient or incomplete information, particularly related to parents, are kept on hold until the necessary details are provided.

The revelation came to light during a weekly police briefing, where Mundeyi shared the story of a mother who disclosed an incestuous relationship after the processing of her son’s passport stalled. The woman, facing legal and data protection concerns, revealed that her son’s father was her brother. The ministry’s spokesman emphasized the importance of counseling and privacy in handling such delicate situations.

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