Africa-Press – Uganda. The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has paid a courtesy visit to the Buganda Kingdom headquarters at Bulange, Mengo, where it officially handed over a National Identity Card to Katikkiro , Charles Peter Mayiga, and called upon the Kingdom to mobilise citizens to register for and collect their national IDs.
While receiving his National ID, Mayiga emphasised the importance of identity documentation, noting that every person must have clear identification that confirms their citizenship. He drew a parallel with Buganda cultural traditions, explaining that in the past, when a child was born, they were taken to their grandfather and given a name from the family lineage—an act that served as a traditional form of identity among the Baganda.
“This was the traditional identity system of the Baganda. It is therefore important for every person to be known and recognised within their country,” Mayiga said.
He highlighted the many benefits of possessing a National ID, noting that it is required for employment, acquiring a passport for international travel, and is currently recognised as a valid travel document within the East African Community. Mayiga said these advantages underscore the need for all Ugandans—children, adults, and the elderly—to register.
“We continue to encourage all Ugandans to register and obtain National IDs. Parents should ensure their children are registered, and those renewing their IDs should go and collect them from the designated centres. The National ID is very important in everything we do, and it also helps government to know its people and plan effectively for them,” he said.
Addressing the nation at the start of the new year, Mayiga also shared a message of hope and resilience for 2026.
“My advice to Ugandans in 2026 is to remain alive and keep hope. Many people want to build homes, start businesses, and pursue other goals. These things may not come easily and challenges will arise, but as long as you are alive and hopeful, you will eventually achieve them,” he said.
Stephen Roberts Kasumba, the officer in charge of monitoring and evaluation at NIRA, handed over the National ID to the Katikkiro on behalf of the Authority. He reported strong participation in the registration exercise across Buganda.
Kasumba revealed that 13.36 million people have renewed their National IDs, while 6.15 million citizens who had never been registered before have now enrolled. In addition, nearly 600,000 children under the age of 15 have been registered.
He further explained that 21 million people were migrated from the old identification system to the new one, out of a total of 28 million records nationwide.
Kasumba urged residents of Buganda who have renewed or newly registered for National IDs to collect them from more than 146 designated collection centres established across the country.
He also encouraged parents to register their children from birth, stressing that early registration helps government to plan better and deliver services more effectively.
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