Kampala, Uganda: The new Ugandan National Identity Cards are set to come with enhanced security features designed to curb forgery and improve verification processes, the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has revealed.
Unlike the old IDs issued between 2014 and 2015, the new generation IDs integrate advanced technology that meets international standards for identification and security.
Key Features on the New National IDs:
Laser-Engraved Security Images:
The cards, according to NIRA, now utilize laser engraving technology to embed multiple images within the card substrate. These images appear differently depending on the viewing angle, making counterfeiting extremely difficult.
Machine Readable Zone (MRZ):
Borrowing from international passport technology, the new IDs feature a Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) — a standardized strip that encodes key information. This allows the cards to be quickly and reliably scanned by authorized machines at airports, borders, and security checkpoints.
Two-Dimensional (2D) Barcode:
Each National ID, officials say, includes a 2D barcode containing encrypted data, which can be read by specialized scanners or smartphones. This feature supports faster verification and enhances the card’s use in digital transactions, government services, and financial institutions.
The barcode stores encoded details ranging from identification data to encrypted authentication protocols, aligning Uganda’s system with modern global ID standards.
Why These Features Matter:
Officials at NIRA say the enhancements are aimed at combating identity theft, forgery, and fraud, all of which had become easier to commit with the aging first-generation cards.
The updated IDs are also expected to ease electronic verification across government departments and financial institutions, boosting trust in both local and international systems.
“We have upgraded security not just for durability, but for trustworthiness in digital and cross-border systems. These are world-standard IDs,” a senior NIRA official said.
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