NIRA Postpones Mass National ID Issuance To August, Secures 280 Billion For Modernization

The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has informed Members of Parliament that the large-scale issuance and renewal of National Identity Cards will now occur between the end of July and the start of August this year. This change comes after NIRA missed its original June 2024 deadline.

NIRA is slated to receive 280 billion shillings to purchase new machines, which will speed up the ID production process. These updates were shared by NIRA officials during their appearance before the Committee on Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises, where they also addressed issues raised in the Auditor General’s report for the 2022/2023 financial year.

Originally, NIRA planned to begin the mass registration and renewal of National ID cards in June. However, this deadline passed without the process starting. Executive Director Rosemary Kisembo and other NIRA officials provided new timelines for the mass enrolment during their meeting with the committee.

The secured 280 billion shillings will be used to replace ten-year-old equipment, which has been a key factor in the delays. The new machinery is expected to improve efficiency and shorten the wait time for citizens.

Moreover, NIRA is introducing new biometric identification features on the National IDs to help individuals who have faced difficulties with fingerprint recognition, ensuring a more inclusive and reliable identification system.

Currently, NIRA has data for 27 million Ugandans and aims to increase this number significantly with the upcoming mass registration. The new equipment and features are anticipated to streamline the process and address previous inefficiencies.

This rescheduled timeline and the adoption of advanced technology highlight NIRA’s dedication to enhancing the national identification system, ensuring that all Ugandans can obtain and renew their IDs promptly and efficiently.