After months of delays, the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has officially launched its mass enrollment and national ID renewal campaign. The first to benefit from the pilot phase are senior officials from NIRA and the Ministry of Internal Affairs—leaving the general public to wait until the nationwide rollout begins later this month.
Uganda’s first batch of national IDs was issued between 2014 and 2015, with many having expired in August 2024 and others set to expire by August 2025. During this campaign, NIRA aims to renew 15.8 million expired or soon-to-expire cards and register an additional 17.2 million new applicants, bringing the total number of enrolled Ugandans to 33 million.
Speaking at the launch, State Minister for Internal Affairs Gen. David Muhoozi noted that the National Identification Register currently contains biometric and demographic data of 27.7 million Ugandans. He recalled that due to earlier delays, the government had to issue a statutory instrument to extend the validity of expired IDs to prevent disruption in access to essential services.
To support the exercise, the government procured 5,665 biometric registration kits from Tahaluf Al Emarat Technical Solutions, which were distributed nationwide in February. Two new machines capable of producing 100,000 laser-engraved ID cards daily were also delivered in March. Additionally, a new national security information system has been introduced, featuring upgraded data center infrastructure and enhanced biometric capabilities, including iris scans, all built on the Modular Open Source Identification Platform (MOSIP).
The pilot phase of the registration, which began on May 2 and will run until May 26, focuses on select groups and stakeholders. The full-scale nationwide rollout will begin on May 27, reaching all 146 districts and targeting parishes across Uganda.
The new IDs will be issued to Ugandans aged 16 and above, with new applicants receiving a National Identification Number (NIN). Gen. Muhoozi explained that in the initial months, successful applicants can expect to receive their ID cards within four weeks—a processing time that will later be reduced to two weeks.
While first-time applicants and those renewing expired cards will not be charged, individuals seeking to replace lost IDs or change their personal details will incur a fee. The minister warned that penalties will apply for lost cards, reinforcing the importance of proper ID management.
Also Read: Museveni Welcomes Starlink to Transform Uganda’s Internet Landscape
