The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has received 1,700 national ID registration kits, adding to the 1,000 kits delivered in December 2024. This brings the total to 2,700 kits to support the upcoming mass enrolment and renewal exercise for national IDs.
The kits, arriving in phases, will play a vital role in registering 17.2 million Ugandans and renewing 15.8 million national ID cards. In a statement, NIRA noted, "Arrival of more equipment is expected in due course as we soar nigh to the commencement of #NIDMassEnrollmentUg."
The government has allocated Shs666.85 billion to the exercise, covering hardware, software, operating systems, blank ID cards, allowances for 13,000 registration assistants, and other administrative expenses.
To ensure the smooth execution of the exercise, NIRA began hands-on training for technical staff on January 6. The training is focused on equipping staff with skills in citizenship identification and accurate registration to streamline the issuance of ID cards.
Expired national IDs will remain valid for an additional year, allowing holders to continue accessing essential services, including government and financial operations. This provision aligns with Sections 65 and 66 of the Registration of Persons Act, although some IDs have already expired.
The mass registration aims to ensure all Ugandans aged 17 and above are registered and issued with valid national IDs, crucial for accessing various services across the country.
