By Fidel Boy Leon
The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has officially launched its long-awaited Change of Particulars Service, enabling Ugandans to correct or update information on their National Identity Cards for the first time since the cards were introduced.
Speaking at a press briefing, Registrar Claire Ollama confirmed that the service is now available at all district offices nationwide, marking a major milestone in NIRA’s efforts to strengthen the integrity of Uganda’s national identification system.
“I want to inform you, compatriots, dear citizens and people of Uganda, that this service is available today across all district offices,” Ollama said.
The registrar emphasised that all amendment or renewal services must be accessed at district offices, not at local or parish-level centres.
“Anybody seeking to renew their ID with amendments will not do it at the parish. They’ll have to make the trip to the nearest district office,” she clarified.
According to NIRA, the following updates can be made under the new system:
- Clerical corrections (e.g., typos in name, birthdate, etc.)
- Name changes due to marriage, religious conversion, or cultural reasons
- Fingerprints may be updated if damaged or altered, such as from bleaching or manual labour
NIRA-induced errors will be corrected free of charge, and replacement IDs issued at no cost. However, for personal updates like name changes, citizens must present supporting documentation and pay a UGX 200,000 statutory fee directly to the Uganda Revenue Authority.
Registrar Ollama issued strong warnings against individuals attempting to fraudulently alter their age, particularly to qualify for services like commercial driving permits.
“This is not an exercise for you to say now. I was 20 years old. I now feel 15 years old. I want to change my age. No, you can only be born once. You cannot be born twice. “Once born, it is a permanent thing,” Ollama declared, she emphasised.
She addressed specific cases where individuals attempted to backdate their birth year to become eligible for commercial licences.
“However, for you to say, last year you thought you were 20 years and now suddenly you’re 30 years old because Hajji has bought a tipper. If you want a permit that allows you to drive a tipper, please don’t come. “This is not your service,” she said.
However, genuine date-of-birth errors, such as interchanging the day and month, can be corrected upon verification.
The only thing that can cause us to change is if you’re making a correction of an error. So, to say, while writing your date of birth, you interchange the year and month. For example, I was born on 7th August and I wrote 8th, maybe July. So, I interchange the day and month. “That is a reasonable error,” the registrar clarified.
To apply for amendments to their national ID, citizens are required to follow a clear set of procedures. One must fill out the appropriate application, Form 1 for changes related to personal information, such as name or gender, or Form 1A for minor clerical corrections.
Applicants are also expected to appear in person to update their biometrics and photo, ensuring the accuracy and integrity of the new ID. Additionally, the old national ID must be surrendered before a new one can be issued.
Registrar Ollama reiterated that NIRA is committed to documenting factual identity data, not catering to personal preferences or social pressure.
“We are not in the business of making you comfortable. “We are documenting facts,” she said. “Our mandate is to uphold an integral, credible register for this country. We will not change it for your convenience.”
This initiative aligns with Section 64 of the Registration of Persons Act, which mandates that all changes or corrections must be reported within 90 days of identification.
The service launch reinforces NIRA’s role as a guardian of credible national data and offers Ugandans a long-overdue avenue for correcting their records, responsibly.