Officials from South Sudan Ministry of Interior say they have opened up a branch for issuing passports and nationality identification cards to South Sudanese living in Uganda’s capital Kampala. They are charging higher fees for these documents than those charged in Juba.
Major. Gen Augustino Madut Parek, national director for passport and immigration, told Radio Tamazuj on Wednesday the passport will cost about 300,000 Uganda shillings and the nationality will cost another 50,000 shillings.
Some students including citizens have complained about the high prices for passports and nationality cards, noting the price is roughly double the current cost of passports issued in Juba (according to the parallel market rate).
However Gen. Parek says the cost is not too big for people to have access to the passport, arguing that the mentioned cost is still cheaper than what it would cost someone to travel South Sudan to apply for documents there.
“I think the cost is reasonable compared to going to Juba. I know it cost you 50,000 Ugandan shilling for someone traveling to Juba plus many more expenses than getting it here,” he added.
In Juba a national passport costs 315 South Sudanese pounds and the national identity card is 45 SSP.
Gen. Parek urged all South Sudanese to have passports adding that any time Uganda may change its current policy. He said the new branch in Kampala is a new service delivery to citizens.