Simon Peter Mundeyi, the spokesperson for Uganda’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, has disclosed that the diplomatic passport displayed by Katatumba Rugiirwa on social media may either be a counterfeit from Nasser Road, a Kampala hub infamous for producing forged documents, or it could belong to his late father, Boney Katatumba, who served as the Honorary Consul of Pakistan.
Rugiirwa, currently embroiled in financial scandals, sparked public outcry after showcasing a diplomatic passport, prompting some Ugandans to petition the Immigration Office. They questioned how an ordinary citizen could possess such a prestigious document.
“The passport he’s showing off might have come from Nasser Road or could belong to his parent. He never opened it for verification. Diplomatic passports are reserved for individuals of high standing or those holding key official positions,” Mundeyi explained.
After conducting thorough investigations, the ministry confirmed that no diplomatic passport had been issued under Rugiirwa Katatumba’s name. Mundeyi added, “People may try to flaunt a red passport on social media, but we will involve the police to investigate and compel this individual to present the passport for authenticity verification.”
Following the death of Boney Katatumba in 2018, his daughter, Angella Katatumba, unsuccessfully attempted to assume his diplomatic role, facing resistance from the Pakistani community.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the origins of Rugiirwa’s diplomatic passport and whether it was acquired through illicit means. This case highlights broader concerns about the misuse of diplomatic privileges and the integrity of official documentation in Uganda.
