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.
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.
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.
