Africa-Press – Uganda. The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has urged Ugandans to speed up the renewal of their National Identity Cards (IDs).
The agency warned that Uganda could miss its six-month target if the current pace continues.
Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, Buikwe District Registrar Claire Ollama said over 5.3 million Ugandans have renewed their IDs so far. However, at the current pace of 840,000 renewals per week, the process could take nine months instead of six.
“If we continue at this pace, we’ll cross the finish line in about nine months. Yet the race we signed up for is a six-month sprint. Every week matters. Every ID counts,” Ollama said.
She called on communities, parishes, and schools to mobilize citizens to speed up the process.
NIRA also announced plans to register children starting from infancy.
This will be done in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Sports.
Special “School-Centric Registration Days” will ensure that every child in school is registered.
“Early registration is not just a record it is legal empowerment. A land title with no matching NIN [National Identification Number] is a locked gate,” Ollama explained.
She warned that children without NINs cannot inherit property, leaving families at risk.
The authority also cautioned against lending IDs to others for activities like opening bank accounts or buying land.
Ollama said such actions expose people to serious legal trouble.
NIRA emphasized the importance of full national registration to close gaps used by fraudsters.
“A nation without full registration is a nation with holes in its pocket. Let us close the cracks where ghost records hide,” Ollama stressed.
NIRA also announced that the change of particulars service will go live on July 21, 2025.
Ugandans who need to update their personal details will pay Shs200,000, unless the error was caused by NIRA.
The agency also warned citizens against paying unauthorized fees for preregistration.
Some agents and internet cafés have been charging people for services that are free.
“NIRA services are free of charge. Do not pay for forms. Do not pay for favours,” officials warned.
Ugandans were advised to download forms from the NIRA website or visit registration centers for assistance.
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