MP demands passport queue reform

Waiting months for a passport while others who applied later receive theirs first has raised fresh concerns over fairness, with a lawmaker claiming the delays are creating room for corruption.

Mwanza Central Member of Parliament Felix Njawala has linked the prolonged passport processing delays to alleged corruption, saying the current system allows some applicants to jump the queue despite submitting their applications much later.

Speaking in Parliament on Monday, Njawala urged government to introduce a numbered queuing system for passport applications, arguing that it would make the process more transparent and help curb corruption in the issuance of passports.

“There are people who applied for passports maybe nine months ago, one year ago, they’ve not received their passports. But somebody who applied for a passport yesterday, today is given a passport. That’s very unfair, and that’s what is contributing to corruption,” Njawala said.

He proposed that every applicant be assigned a sequence number after submitting an application and making payment so they can monitor their position in the queue. According to the legislator, such a system would make it easier to question cases where applicants who joined the queue later receive passports before those who applied earlier.

Njawala told the House that he has more than 30 passport application receipts from people in his constituency who are still waiting for their travel documents despite some having applied up to a year ago.

Njawala: demands passport queuing system

Responding to the concerns, Minister of Homeland Security Peter Mukhito described the proposal as worthwhile and said government would explore implementing it through the e-Government programme.

“I think that’s a very, very good idea. We will engage the Ministry of Information through e-Government to consider putting this system. We feel the pain which most passport applicants are going through,” Mukhito said.

The minister said government is currently focusing on stabilising the new passport system and expanding passport printing services to regional centres before introducing digital tracking features such as SMS notifications, online portals and WhatsApp integration.

He also announced that passport printing services have resumed in Mangochi and assured Parliament that government is working to address the backlog and ensure passport issuance follows the order in which applications are received.