Lost Passport in Uganda: Here is What to Do as a Tourist

A lost passport while visiting Uganda triggers an immediate shift from leisure to crisis management.

For tourists, this document functions as a legal identity, proof of entry, and a prerequisite for exiting the country.

Without it, navigating immigration checkpoints, lodging protocols, or return flights becomes legally and logistically complex.

Uganda receives over 1.5 million international visitors annually, and a small but regular number report a lost passport.

Whether misplaced during cross-border gorilla trekking in Kisoro or stolen in Kampala’s Central Business District, the absence of a recovery plan can cause delays, legal entanglements, or missed departures.

This guide presents a step-by-step solution for tourists who find themselves in such a situation. If you’re reading this during a moment of panic, take a breath. The following steps are structured to help you act quickly and correctly in case you have lost your passport in Uganda.

Step 1: Secure Yourself and Your Valuables

Prioritise your safety before anything else.

A lost passport incident can occur in unfamiliar environments: public transit hubs, markets, or wildlife lodges around Uganda. The first concern is your immediate surroundings.

Remain where you are if it’s secure. If not, relocate to a hotel lobby, police post, embassy perimeter, or any high-footfall public venue. Avoid isolated spaces.

Next, account for your other critical items. Confirm that you still have your entry visa slip (if separate), national ID (if applicable), mobile phone, wallet, and digital backups of key documents.

If your phone is lost along with your passport, seek assistance from hotel staff or a tourism police officer.

Avoid escalating the situation with unverified assumptions. Sometimes, passports are only misplaced, not stolen. Retrace your steps in reverse order. Call your lodge, restaurant, or transport provider.

However, the delay should not exceed one hour before reporting the incident. You are legally responsible for your identification in Uganda.

If you were travelling with companions or under a tour agency, notify the team leader immediately.

A coordinated response is always faster. For solo travellers, identify the nearest point of assistance. The Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) hotline, embassy contact desks, or nearby police kiosks can serve as first contact points.

At this stage, your goal is singular: secure your person, verify your possessions, and prepare for formal reporting.

You’ll handle the legal documentation shortly, but first, reduce exposure to secondary risks like theft or misinformation.

KEEP CALM.

These next few steps have been designed to get you out of the jam with minimum delay.

Step 2: Report The Lost Passport to the Authorities in Uganda

Every district in Uganda has a designated Central Police Station (CPS) or divisional post under the Uganda Police Force.

If you are in Kampala, go to CPS Kampala along Buganda Road. In regional towns like Entebbe, Jinja, Mbarara, or Fort Portal, police headquarters are located near municipal offices.

For rural parks such as Queen Elizabeth or Bwindi, approach the Tourism Police Unit attached to Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) outposts.

Report the Loss

Provide a detailed verbal statement of the incident. Include your full name, nationality, passport number (if recalled), point of loss, time, and accompanying persons.

Police officers will record the case under “Lost Property” or “Lost Travel Document.” Accuracy is essential, as the same information will appear on your Police Report, a mandatory document for embassy and immigration procedures.

Obtain a Police Report or Abstract

Once the case is logged, request a Police Report (or Abstract). This official paper confirms the loss and includes the case reference number, your contact information, and the date of reporting.

It is issued by the Officer in Charge (OC) at the station.

You may be asked to pay a small administrative fee, usually between 5,000 and 10,000 Ugandan Shillings. Retain the receipt for record purposes.

Verify the Tourism Police Contact

For tourists, direct liaison with the Tourism Police Unit ensures smoother coordination with embassies and the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control (DCIC).

The Tourism Police headquarters is located in Kampala, but regional detachments exist in Entebbe, Jinja, and all national parks.

They are trained to assist visitors facing documentation emergencies.

Secure a Copy and Backup

Before leaving the station, take a clear photograph of the police report.

Email a digital copy to yourself and your tour operator or travel insurance provider.

If possible, make a photocopy for embassy submission. Keep the original in a plastic folder to prevent damage.

Filing this report establishes official recognition of the loss and protects you against legal complications. Ugandan immigration authorities rely on this documentation to process any replacement visa or exit permit.

As you move forward, the embassy will require it as primary evidence.

Step 3: Contact Your Embassy or Consulate in Uganda

Once you secure a police report, your next responsibility is to notify your home country’s embassy or consulate in Uganda. Embassy staff handle passport replacement, issue travel documents, and verify your legal identity for exit authorization. They also liaise directly with Uganda’s immigration offices to validate your situation.

Step 1: Locate the Correct Mission

Most embassies are situated in Kampala, particularly within the Kololo and Nakasero zones.

For countries without in-country representation, their diplomatic missions in Kenya, Rwanda, or Tanzania often cover Uganda.

In such cases, consular help is provided remotely or through a designated honorary consul.

Prepare Supporting Documentation

You will be required to submit:

• A copy of the police report
• Any remaining form of identification (national ID, driver’s licence, passport copy)
• Two passport-sized photographs
• Proof of travel itinerary or flight ticket
• Application forms as provided by the consular section

Most embassies require an in-person appearance, although exceptions can be made under exceptional circumstances.

Processing time for emergency documents ranges from 24 hours to 5 working days, depending on nationality and available documentation.

Request an Emergency Travel Document

If your departure date is imminent, request an Emergency Travel Document (ETD) or Temporary Passport.

This single-use document allows you to leave Uganda and return to your home country, but does not guarantee re-entry to Uganda or transit through third countries.

Some embassies may also contact the Ugandan Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control (DCIC) on your behalf, especially if your entry visa or permit needs revalidation.

Follow Up and Retain Proof

After your application is submitted, follow up with the consular officer for pickup instructions. Some embassies offer SMS or email notifications.

Once issued, keep your temporary passport or ETD in a safe, sealed folder.

It may feel overwhelming, but embassy staff are trained for this. If you’re unsure where to begin, call the emergency number on your country’s mission website and request consular assistance.

Step 4: Notify Immigration and Replace the Entry Visa

Replacing your passport is only part of the process. You must also inform the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control (DCIC) and apply for a replacement of your Ugandan entry visa or permit endorsement. Without this, you may be denied boarding at the airport or stopped at immigration checkpoints.

a. Report to the DCIC Headquarters

The Directorate operates under Uganda’s Ministry of Internal Affairs. The headquarters is located at:

DCIC Immigration Headquarters
Plot 75 Jinja Road, opposite the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Kampala
Open Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Carry your police report, the newly issued emergency travel document or temporary passport, and any other identification you still possess.

b. Submit a Written Request

Prepare a handwritten or typed explanation letter addressed to the Director for Immigration and Citizenship, clearly stating the details of the passport loss. Include:

• Full names and nationality
• Entry date into Uganda
• Visa type (Tourist, East African Tourist Visa, Transit)
• Passport number (if recalled)
• Circumstances of the loss

Attach a copy of your police report and a passport photo if required.

c. Apply for Visa Re-Issuance

Once your statement is reviewed, you will be guided to fill out a visa replacement application form. In most cases, immigration officers validate your legal status based on the original entry records stored in their system.

Processing time is generally one to three working days.

Fees may apply for this service. As of 2025, visa replacement charges range from USD 50 to USD 100, depending on your visa category.

Payment is made through authorised bank channels, not in cash at the DCIC office.

d. Receive Your Exit Endorsement

After successful verification, your emergency passport will be endorsed with a re-entry permit or exit authorisation.

This allows you to pass through Entebbe International Airport immigration counters without delay. For land border crossings, particularly to Rwanda, Kenya, or South Sudan, carry multiple copies of this endorsement to present at exit points.

Before leaving the DCIC office, verify the endorsement for accuracy, especially name spelling, document number, and expiry date. Errors may result in being stopped at departure.

Failing to regularise your immigration status, even with a valid emergency passport, may lead to fines, exit refusal, or security detention at departure checkpoints.

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Conclusion: Prevent Future Passport Loss

A lost passport while on a visit to Uganda disrupts your itinerary, triggers embassy visits, legal filings, and unplanned expenses.

Preventing that disruption requires proactive, informed handling of your travel documents from the moment you arrive in Uganda.

1. Keep Digital Copies

Scan your passport data page, visa endorsement, yellow fever card, and national ID. Save these in encrypted cloud storage platforms such as Google Drive or Dropbox. Email a copy to yourself and your tour coordinator. This assists with rapid identification during embassy verification.

2. Use Secure Physical Storage

Avoid carrying your passport unless required by your itinerary. Please leave it in a hotel room safe, a locked suitcase, or a front-desk secure deposit box. If you must carry it, use a water-resistant neck pouch or an underclothing money belt that stays close to the body.

3. Register With Your Embassy Before Travel

Many embassies run registration programs for citizens abroad. For instance, US citizens can enrol in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). Registration ensures your embassy knows you are in Uganda and can respond faster in emergencies.

4. Label Your Passport Cover (Cautiously)

Do not write your full name or address visibly on the passport cover. Instead, insert a business card or emergency contact card inside the passport sleeve. If it is misplaced and found by a hotel or lodge, this small step may speed up recovery.

5. Avoid Routine Exposure

Do not carry your passport when visiting crowded markets, boda-boda terminals, or wildlife treks unless specifically required. Use a certified copy when asked for ID in non-border settings. Several hotels and banks accept colour copies if accompanied by a secondary document.

6. Track Entry and Exit Points

Monitor which border point you used for entry. For instance, tourists arriving via Entebbe International Airport, Busia, or Cyanika should document the date and port of arrival. This simplifies re-verification during passport replacement procedures.

You are not expected to anticipate every eventuality, but you can reduce the risk of documentation loss with preparation.

These small decisions —where to store, how to back up, and who to notify —form the foundation of secure travel. You are the first layer of protection for your own passport. Treat it accordingly.