Kampala, Uganda: The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has officially launched Uganda’s mass renewal and registration of National Identity Cards (IDs), with a nationwide rollout expected to run between six and 10 months.
The exercise, flagged off on Tuesday, May 27, by NIRA Executive Director Rosemary Kisembo, is expected to renew 15.8 million national IDs due to expire by June 2025, while also registering 17.2 million new applicants, including those under 17 years and citizens who missed out during previous rounds.
“This exercise will be conducted at the parish level, running from Monday to Saturday weekly,” Ms Kisembo said, adding that applicants can either pre-enroll online and complete the process in person with a signature, or register manually at designated parish sites.
Each of Uganda’s 10,594 parishes will have at least 10 biometric kits, with densely populated areas allocated more equipment. Of the 5,665 kits procured, 5,300 have already been dispatched, with 365 reserved for emergencies.
Asked what Ugandans need for this process, Kisembo said applicants are required to present themselves physically with appropriate identification and supporting documents, and that renewal for those with expired IDs is FREE of charge.
She, however, clarified that changes to ID particulars, such as correcting names or dates of birth, will incur a fee of Shs200,000, unless the mistake originated from NIRA.
The entire process is projected to cost the government Shs666.85 billion. Of this, Shs183 billion is earmarked for ID card production, Shs293 billion for technology infrastructure and biometric kits, and Shs190.85 billion to pay over 13,800 personnel engaged in the operation.
How the Enrolment will be conducted
Ms Kisembo explained that the exercise will adopt a decentralised approach, with a “comb and clean” registration model at the parish level. The parish centres will host different zones for target categories, including: Zone A: Vulnerable groups (children under 5, pregnant women), Zone B: general mass registration, B1: Pre-registered individuals (those who apply online), and B2: Walk-in registrants.
Under Zone C, earmarked for renewals, C1 will take charge of pre-registered for renewal, C2: walk-in renewals, while Zone D will be for ID issuance once they are out, and Zone E reserved for special registration (PWDs, SAGE beneficiaries).
To ensure inclusivity, elderly persons, pregnant women, and people with disabilities unable to reach centres will be registered from their homes, in coordination with Local Council I (LCI) leaders.
NIRA said it has established district coordination committees chaired by Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) to manage parish-level operations. The committees will comprise District Registration Officers, Chief Administrative Officers, District Chairpersons, DISOs, DPCs, and EC Registrars. Their role includes overseeing field staff recruitment, logistical planning, and resolving citizenship verification issues.
Shadow Minister Nambooze Criticizes Timing
The enrolment exercise has, however, not gone without political backlash. Shadow Minister for Internal Affairs, Hon. Betty Nambooze Bakireke, raised concerns about the timing and civic preparedness of the campaign, accusing the government of rushing the process as the 2026 General Election nears.
“This process required more planning and sensitisation to ensure meaningful participation,” Nambooze said. “We advised that it be postponed until after the elections, but the government didn’t heed our call.”
She also questioned the validity of renewing expired cards without first addressing unresolved issues. “Why should IDs expire at all? Parliament should have debated that. And many people haven’t even received the cards they applied for months ago. What are they renewing?” she asked.
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