NIRA blames technical glitches, low staff recruitment for delayed mass renewal of National IDs

Kampala, Uganda:- The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has attributed the delay in the nationwide mass enrollment and renewal exercise for National Identity Cards to technical issues and prolonged staff recruitment processes across the country.

Speaking to local media on Thursday, Ms. Rose Kisembo, NIRA’s Executive Director, revealed that the agency has been grappling with delays in hiring personnel and procuring the necessary equipment to facilitate the mass enrollment process.

“We received the money, but there is a process to do the work, like getting the contractor and purchasing the machines. This kind of process can delay the main process (mass registration), but I think it should start by next month,” Kisembo noted.

The government allocated Shs 366.85 billion to NIRA to develop a system and roll out the mass enrollment exercise, which was initially scheduled to begin in June 2024. However, the agency has only managed to procure the equipment and recruit 7,000 staff members nationwide, who are currently undergoing training in preparation for the exercise.

According to Ms Kisembo, public announcements will be made once all preparations are finalized, with expectations that the exercise will commence by next month.

Impending Expiry of IDs

The urgency of the mass registration stems from the looming expiry of over 15.8 million National IDs issued between 2014 and 2015.

Initially designed with a 10-year validity period, these IDs were expected to expire in 2024. However, the government amended the Registration of Persons Regulations in August 2024, extending the validity period by an additional year to provide a window for the renewal exercise.

Under the Registration of Persons Act, 2015, every Ugandan citizen is required to obtain a National Identification Number upon registration. The law further stipulates that failure to comply without a reasonable excuse could attract penalties, including a fine of up to ten currency points or imprisonment not exceeding three months.

Steven Alor, a public finance expert, emphasized NIRA’s mandate to register births, deaths, and adoptions across the country while maintaining a credible and up-to-date register for national security and socio-economic development.

“The mission of NIRA is to establish and maintain a credible, secure and up-to-date register of all persons in Uganda for national security and socio-economic development,” Alor stated.

What next for Expired IDs

With Uganda’s general elections scheduled for next year, concerns are growing over the potential disenfranchisement of eligible voters whose IDs may expire before the exercise is concluded. National IDs are not only critical for voting but also for accessing financial services, employment opportunities, cross-border travel within the East African Community (EAC), and school registration.

“An expired ID may not be acceptable in other countries but they should have a passport to avoid inconveniences,” Kisembo advised, highlighting the importance of having valid identification for regional travel.

Additionally, she reassured the public of NIRA’s capacity to expedite the process, referencing their previous record of printing 15.8 million cards within four months. “We have had a precedent of printing 15.8 million Cards in four months. We are still within time,” she stated.