NIRA Launches Pilot Phase Targeting Over 33 million Ugandans
The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has launched the pilot phase of Uganda’s Mass National ID Enrollment and Renewal Exercise, aiming to reach over 33 million citizens ahead of a nationwide rollout later this month.
The pilot was officially inaugurated on May 5, 2025, at the Ministry of Internal Affairs boardroom in Kampala, with Gen. David Muhoozi, Minister of State for Internal Affairs, presiding over the event.
“The parish-level deployment includes 10 rotating registration kits per district, with schedules determined by local authorities,” said Gen. Muhoozi. “Citizens are urged to identify their correct citizenship category under Uganda’s Constitution to avoid processing delays.”
Running until May 26, this pilot phase is designed to test the operational readiness of the new system and prepare for the full-scale national rollout beginning on May 27, 2025.
The exercise will involve the renewal of 15.8 million ID cards (expiring in June 2025) and the registration of 17.2 million new applicants, including unregistered adults and youth turning 16.
NIRA emphasizes that the initiative is essential for maintaining accurate, secure, and inclusive identity data to support national planning, elections, and public service delivery. The agency currently manages a registry containing biometric and biographic data for 27.7 million Ugandans.
The initiative also fulfills a directive by President Yoweri Museveni aimed at improving citizenship verification and advancing digital governance.
Major System Upgrades
This mass renewal is supported by a substantial technological upgrade following a July 2024 contract with Tahaluf Al Emarat Technical Solutions. The new infrastructure includes:
- 5,665 biometric registration kits
- Two high-capacity card printers, each capable of producing 100,000 laser-engraved cards daily
- 80 servers and an advanced data center
- A new Modular Open-Source Identification Platform (MOSIP), integrating birth and death registration
- Iris scanning added as a biometric feature
All data collection will be conducted by authorized NIRA personnel at designated public registration sites nationwide.
What Citizens Need to Know
1. ID Renewal (Free)
- Present your expired ID or a photocopy.
- If the ID is lost, provide a police letter.
- No changes to biographic details are permitted.
- The National Identification Number (NIN) remains unchanged.
2. New Child Registrations (Under 18)
- Provide a photocopy of one parent’s ID.
- If unavailable, a grandparent or close relative’s ID, along with an adult escort, is acceptable.
3. New Adult Registrations (18+, Free)
- Submit a parent’s or close relative’s ID.
- If unavailable, provide a certified letter from local leaders.
- Proof of Ugandan citizenship is mandatory.
4. Change or Correction of Details (UGX 200,000)
- Submit all required documents and a payment receipt.
- The old ID will be invalidated before the new one is issued.
5. Replacement of Lost ID (UGX 50,000)
- Citizens are encouraged to opt for renewal where possible.
“There is no double registration for individuals who already have a NIN. All payments must be made at designated banks—no cash to NIRA staff,” Gen. Muhoozi emphasized.
He also warned that providing false information is a criminal offense and urged citizens to accurately declare their citizenship category under the Constitution.
Logistics and Delivery
The national rollout will proceed in parish-level clusters, with 10 biometric kits rotating per district based on local authority schedules. ID cards will be delivered to the address provided during registration, with initial turnaround times of up to four weeks, expected to reduce to two weeks as the system stabilizes.
A pre-registration link will go live on NIRA’s website on May 27, allowing applicants to streamline their in-person registration experience.
National Impact
NIRA is collaborating with key stakeholders, including the Electoral Commission, to ensure the exercise strengthens the National Voter Register, improves citizen data accuracy, and enhances the credibility of future elections.
“The parish-level strategy and digital registration are not only about issuing IDs. They’re part of a broader initiative to verify and empower every Ugandan citizen,” Gen. Muhoozi concluded.