{"id":119480,"date":"2026-02-10T14:13:13","date_gmt":"2026-02-10T14:13:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/all-news\/how-a-sunday-trip-turned-me-into-a-digital-identity"},"modified":"2026-02-10T15:29:50","modified_gmt":"2026-02-10T15:29:50","slug":"how-a-sunday-trip-turned-me-into-a-digital-identity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/photo\/how-a-sunday-trip-turned-me-into-a-digital-identity","title":{"rendered":"How a Sunday trip turned me into a digital identity"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Rwanda. <\/strong><\/span>My friend Uwase had been out of town for three months. Every time we spoke, she said the same thing: \u201cWe are in a very remote village, and honestly, I\u2019m not sure when I\u2019ll be back in Kigali.\u201d<\/p>\n

So on Sunday, November 30, two friends and I decided to check on her. We took an almost three-hour drive from Kigali to Nyanza, expecting nothing more than a simple visit to a friend serving her country in a rural area.<\/p>\n

NIDA staff conduct the identity verification and photo-taking exercise for the Digital National ID (E-ID)<\/p>\n

We didn\u2019t bring bread or smoothies, the kind she enjoys in the city.<\/p>\n

What we didn\u2019t know was that this trip would turn us into some of the first Kigali residents to register for Rwanda\u2019s long-awaited digital ID, thanks to our friend, who also happened to be an Approving Officer in the rollout.<\/p>\n

A section of road junction at Gasoro in Nyanza District. Photo by Vincent Sugira<\/p>\n

I have a background in Software Engineering which makes me naturally curious about emerging technologies, research trends, and where the world is headed. When Rwanda announced the digital ID pilot, I was intrigued but also skeptical.<\/p>\n

Internet speculation almost got the better of me. You\u2019ve heard the theories: 666, the end of the world, humanity slipping into a dangerous digital age. I thought about all of it. But I\u2019m practical by nature, and in the end, curiosity won.<\/p>\n

A view of Gasoro residential area in Nyanza District.<\/p>\n

We arrived in Nyanza around 1:30 p.m. and hopped on a motor-cycle for a 15-minute ride to Groupe Scolaire Agati in Muyira Sector, where Uwase was stationed. What greeted us there was unexpected.<\/p>\n

The compound was packed\u2014elderly men and women, young adults, babies strapped to their mothers\u2019 backs, children running around. At the center of it all was a tireless team of digital ID registration officers, moving steadily through the crowd.<\/p>\n

As a journalist, my instinct kicked in immediately. I took pictures. We barely had time to greet our friend. There were too many people to serve, and a national technology to roll out. My friends and I decided to sit back, observe and eventually join the queue ourselves.<\/p>\n

The identity verification and photo-taking exercise in Nyanza<\/p>\n

The setup was spread across several classrooms. On the right, pre-enrollment officers received applicants and entered their details into the system.<\/p>\n

On the left were two photography stations, each equipped with a ring light, a mounted camera, a white backdrop, and devices that looked like virtual reality goggles. In the middle sat the group lead\u2014our friend approving applications and directing people to the next stage. Then it was my turn<\/p>\n

I had forgotten my physical ID, but a scanned copy on my phone saved me. That was the first thing they asked for, along with my parents\u2019 names.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou really look like your father,\u201d one of the Pre-enrollment officers joked as he pulled up my details.<\/p>\n

He asked for my place of residence\u2014sector, district, cell, village. I answered without thinking twice. My father always insisted we know this information; it\u2019s practically in my bloodstream.<\/p>\n

Moments later, I received a message confirming that my pre-enrollment had been submitted successfully, complete with a request number. After approval, I was sent to the photography queue.<\/p>\n

Centering my head for the camera turned out to be harder than I expected. It kept tilting left and right. Eventually, we got it right. What stood out was that the photographer showed me the photo and asked if I was satisfied or wanted a retake. That small gesture mattered.<\/p>\n

During my physical ID registration years ago, you never saw your photo until the card arrived\u2014sometimes to your shock. That alone explains why I\u2019ve always wanted to change the picture on my physical ID, a frustration many people share.<\/p>\n

After the photo, I was handed what looked like VR goggles. My friend later explained that the device was AI-powered. I was instructed to wear it, position my face, and stare straight ahead until a red light appeared. For a brief moment, it felt like I was giving my face away.<\/p>\n

But I understood what was happening. The system was scanning my iris, facial structure, and biometric identity, ensuring no one could ever impersonate me. Technology, at its best.<\/p>\n

Next came fingerprint scanning\u2014four fingers on each hand, then both thumbs. Finally, I was asked to sign. That moment stayed with me.<\/p>\n

When I registered for my physical ID, I was 16. I don\u2019t remember signing anything. My ID arrived without a signature, just like those of most of my age mates.<\/p>\n

This time was different. My signature was captured and legally registered. It felt like I had just copyrighted and trademarked it.<\/p>\n

Before going through the process, I imagined the digital ID would work like logging into an app, with everyone having a personal portal. But standing there\u2014surrounded by people of all ages and backgrounds\u2014I realised how complex that would be.<\/p>\n

The system made sense when another message came in: \u201cYour enrollment application has been approved successfully.\u201d It included a number\u2014my digital ID.<\/p>\n

The entire process was smooth, quick, and precise. It took 10 minutes or less. The team advised me not to lose the number. I\u2019m hopeful I won\u2019t\u2014especially after losing my physical ID twice. That, perhaps, is the beauty of technology.<\/p>\n

What started as a simple visit to a friend became my first step into Rwanda\u2019s digital future. As a tech lover, I couldn\u2019t be happier. With digital ID registration now active in Kigali, the future is no longer something to watch from a distance. It\u2019s something to take part in.<\/p>\n\r\n