Africa-Press – Uganda. Public frustration has mounted in the past days after several Ugandans accused the South African High Commission in Kampala of holding their passports for days, causing some travellers to miss planned trips and suffer financial losses.
The complaints were amplified by tourism entrepreneur Amos Wekesa, who on Wednesday alleged that a consular officer at the mission had locked applicants’ passports in her office, leaving staff unable to access them.
“Guys, a person called Modjadji Mahlangu- Consular officer at South African High Commission, in Kampala took passports of Ugandans who had applied for visas,” Wekesa posted on social media.
“She locked their passports in her office and not even a single person at South African high commission, in Kampala can do anything. Her office was locked yesterday and locked today, some of the passport holders were meant to travel for 2 Oceans Marathon, paid tickets, accommodations and the high commission in Kampala says they don’t know where she is,” he added.
Wekesa had called on both South African and Ugandan authorities to intervene, saying the matter should not be taken lightly.
His post triggered widespread reaction online, with several social media users sharing similar experiences and some claiming they had waited for months without receiving their visas.
In an update posted on Thursday, Wekesa said the matter had reached senior authorities in South Africa and that the consular officer had resumed work.
“Thank you guys for sharing my post yesterday, it went to the highest office in South Africa. Got many phone calls!” he wrote.
He added, “Modjadji Mahlangu returned last evening from South Africa and went to office at 3am today morning to start working on peoples applications.”
Wekesa further alleged that the officer had not issued any visas since March 25, despite continued daily applications from Ugandans.
“Modjadji Mahlangu last issued a visa on 25th of March 2026 yet Ugandans apply for visas daily. Paying for accommodations, tickets and visa fees that is never refunded,” he said.
The allegations have sparked concerns over visa processing delays and the treatment of Ugandan applicants seeking travel clearance to South Africa.
At the writing of this, the South African High Commission in Kampala has not publicly responded to the claims.
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