NIRA Announces Plan To Employ 10,000 Workers For National ID Renewal and Registration

The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has initiated a robust recruitment campaign, aiming to enlist over 10,000 officers for the upcoming National Identity Card renewal and registration exercise.

In an announcement made by NIRA Executive Director Rosemary Kisembo, the application process for registrars and assistants has commenced, with interested individuals encouraged to apply through the official website. The renewal and mass registration initiative are scheduled to commence on June 1st of this year.

During a press briefing at the police headquarters in Naguru, Kampala, Ms. Kisembo emphasized the urgency of the recruitment drive, urging prospective applicants to begin the application process promptly. Additionally, she highlighted the provision of instructional videos to aid applicants in navigating the application procedure effectively.

Last year, NIRA announced plans to employ 11,000 temporary workers to facilitate the renewal and registration exercise. Mr. Edwin Tukamuhebwa, NIRA’s manager of registration and operation, outlined the responsibilities of these officers, which primarily include data entry and assessment.

To be eligible for these positions, applicants must be Ugandan citizens possessing a valid National Identity Card and must be at least 18 years old. Further details regarding requirements are available on the NIRA website.

Successful candidates are expected to receive remuneration of approximately 500,000 Ugandan shillings per month for a duration of over 10 months, corresponding to the anticipated duration of the exercise.

The initiative to renew National Identity Cards, initially introduced in 2014 with a 10-year validity period, comes as the first batch of cards issued ahead of the 2016 elections is set to expire in May of this year.

Addressing concerns raised by members of parliament regarding previous registration challenges, including errors and delayed card issuance, State Minister for Internal Affairs Gen David Muhoozi affirmed the necessity of the renewal exercise. Gen Muhoozi emphasized the deterioration of security features over time, underscoring the importance of updating physical and security attributes.

The registration process with NIRA is mandatory for all Ugandan citizens, both within the country and abroad, as stipulated by Section 54 of the Registration of Persons Act (ROPA) 2015. Individuals above 16 years old are eligible to receive a National Identity Card, highlighting the significance of this nationwide initiative.