Millions of New National IDs Remain Uncollected — NIRA Raises Concern Over Low Pickup Rate

Kampala, Uganda — The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has revealed that a significant number of newly printed national identity cards remain uncollected, raising concerns about public access to essential identification documents.

According to NIRA officials, out of approximately seven million newly printed national ID cards, only about 1.5 million have so far been collected by their rightful owners.

This leaves more than five million cards still pending pickup at designated collection centres across the country.Impact on ServicesNIRA emphasized that national IDs are crucial for accessing a wide range of services, including financial transactions, SIM card registration, travel documentation, voting processes, and government programs. Officials warned that delays in collecting IDs could affect citizens’ ability to participate fully in economic and civic activities.

Possible Reasons for Low Turnout

Authorities say several factors may be contributing to the low collection numbers, including:Limited public awareness about card availability

Distance to collection centres, especially in rural areasBusy work schedules and travel constraints Confusion over collection procedures or required documents NIRA has urged Ugandans who applied for new or replacement IDs to check their status through official channels and collect their cards promptly.

Ongoing Sensitisation Efforts

The authority says it is working with local leaders, media houses, and community organizations to improve public awareness and encourage citizens to pick up their IDs.

Plans are also being discussed to increase outreach through mobile collection points and extended service hours in high-demand areas.

Call to Action

NIRA is advising applicants to visit their designated collection centres with proper identification or reference details used during registration. Officials stress that timely collection will help ease congestion at offices and ensure that citizens can benefit from services that require valid identification.