Ugandans living and working in South Africa will now be able to apply for and receive national IDs and passports from the country, Ugandan envoys have said.

Originally Ugandans have had to travel back home to apply for and receive the documents, as obtaining the newly introduced East African passport requires one to have a National ID, only issued in Uganda.

“In collaboration with the National Identification and Registration Authority, we brought ID registration services nearer to you. However, we are dismayed by some of you who are bent on de-campaigning this noble cause,” said Barbara Nekesa, Uganda’s High Commissioner to South Africa.

Nekesa was speaking on the occasion to mark Uganda’s 57th independence anniversary held at the Uganda High Commission in Pretoria, South Africa.

The event was attended by Uganda’s representatives to the Pan African Parliament, Morris Ogenga Latigo and Felix Okot Ogong and Parliamentary Commissioner, Francis Mwijukye and over 100 Ugandans living and working in South Africa.

Nekesa said Uganda was only one of the few countries that issue passports at selected missions, with citizens of other countries having to return home to secure the document.

“As a Mission, we elected to ignore them, for it is them who will suffer the consequences of not having legal ID. There are many other areas where we can work together to solve whatever problems we may have,” Nekesa said adding that “Those who have approached us can testify that we are always available to render service to whoever walks into the Mission irrespective of colour, faith, tribe, political affiliation.

Officials said that NIRA, the agency charged with issuance of the IDs, had agreed that Ugandans in South Africa would fill the required forms through the embassy, which information would be transferred to Kampala for printing of IDs.

The officials said they had also resolved the issue of the requirement for LC1 and DISO signatures, as association chairpersons and embassy officials would help confirm one’s citizenship.

Mr. Joshua Kivuna, the Minister Counselor, said Mission staff had been trained on how to capture data for issuance of IDs, which would be issued in Kampala upon transferring of the captured information. The officials would collect the IDs and pass them on to the applicants from the Mission in South Africa.

He however said that several Ugandans were against registration as they claimed providing their data exposed them to arrest by government.

Kivuna also said that although NIRA had promised that the first batch of IDs would be issued in three months, this had not happened yet.

“There has been a delay in the transfer of data. The IDs will come; we pray for some patience, and hope they will be delivered soon,” he said.

Ms. Irene Jogole, who was posted to the Mission this month as the Immigration Attaché, said she was starting with assessing how to re-start processing and issuing passports to Ugandans in the country following the recall of the old passports for the new East African ones. She also said that the Mission will be in position to issue visas to persons holding South African passports wishing to travel to Uganda.

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Eddy Kenzo, the ex-fiance of singer, Rema Namakula, has responded to the humiliating and confronting message that Sheikh Nuhu Muzaata hurled at him yesterday as Rema introduced her new catch to family members.

Yesterday, the singer introduced her new man, Dr Hamza Sebunya to her family members in Naguru. The colorful function was graced by among others rich man, Muhammad Kirumira and Muslim clerics.

On taking up the microphone, Muzaata, started humiliating and demeaning the Bet award winner, Kenzo and going against his mother who died long time ago. Muzaata congratulated Rema for fleeing Kenzo’s home for Dr. Hamza Sebunnya, saying Kenzo was a playboy who was not at any time willing to marry ‘Siri Muyembe’ singer.

“Thank you Sheikh Nuhu Muzaata that confronting and humiliating message but my mother died 20 years back that is why you are seeing me in this category. I wish she was alive I would have not been like this.” Kenzo who is currently in Colombia wrote.

He said Sheik Muzaata, you have undermined me in front of my daughter Amaral Musuuza, I don’t think that was her good day today and she will never forget about you. Thank you Mr Muzaata God will Judge us Allah on the final day, God willing.

Rema fled Kenzo’s Seguku home in Agusts and is reportedly living with Dr. Hamza at their rented home in Namugongo.

Ssebunya and they are slated to wed on November 1, 2019. Dr. Sebunya is a gynecologist at Mulago National Referral Hospital and is reported to be the same doctor who worked on her during her pregnancy.

It is reported that the doctor has been funding many of her activities and donating her gifts. He is also said to have an upper hand in the apartments that the singer is reportedly building in Namugongo.

Rema has always accused Kenzo of shunning his duty of living as a family man and spending most of his time abroad and at his music studio. He is also accused of spending time with other girls.

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