By Fidel Boy Leon
For millions of Ugandans, not having a National ID might seem like a minor inconvenience, until it suddenly blocks you from accessing land ownership, business opportunities, legal protections, and public services.
With the government midway through a national ID renewal campaign, experts warn that the cost of staying undocumented could be far more than many people realise.
“A land title with no National Identification Number (NIN) is a locked gate. “You can’t open it without proving who you are,” said Claire Ollama, the Buikwe District Registrar for the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA), at a press briefing in Naguru.
Many Ugandans are unknowingly sitting on family land or assets they cannot legally claim or sell, simply because their names aren’t linked to a valid National ID. This disconnect has also led to cases of fraud, identity theft, and failed business transactions.
“You might be helping a friend today, but when debts surface, it’s your name the law will pursue,” Ollama cautioned.
Identity fraud is on the rise, and in many cases, individuals find themselves legally liable for loans or deals they never signed, all because someone used their name and NIN without a full understanding of the consequences.
To prevent future generations from facing these challenges, the government is pushing early child registration. Through a new initiative called “School-Centric Registration Days,” schools will become hubs for child enrolment, with teachers helping collect essential information using Form 3.
“Registration is not just administrative, it’s legal empowerment,” Ollama emphasised. “We are creating systems to ensure no child grows up invisible to the state.”
Starting July 21, 2025, NIRA will also roll out the long-awaited Change of Particulars (COP) service. This will allow individuals to correct or update names, birthdates, or gender on their ID.
This is crucial for those who missed earlier renewal windows or encountered bureaucratic issues.
• The fee is UGX 200,000 for updates not caused by NIRA errors.
• Full details and forms are available on NIRA’s official website.
As registration numbers surge past 5.3 million, intermediaries are exploiting the process. NIRA has received multiple reports of people being charged for pre-registration forms and paying bribes to fast-track processing.
“NIRA services are free. Pre-registration is optional. “No one should pay for a form or a favour,” Ollama stressed.“If you can’t pre-register online, walk into any NIRA station with your current ID or download the form for free.”
Beyond economics, your National ID is a key national security asset. It links every Ugandan to one verified identity and blocks avenues for impersonation.
“A single undocumented person in your household is a security risk,” Ollama warned. “If everyone is registered, no one can hide behind your name.”
At the current pace of 840,000 renewals per week, the country will need 9 months to complete a campaign designed for 6, meaning millions could miss out if they delay.
“This is no small feat,” Ollama admitted. “But it’s a race worth finishing.”
With services like land acquisition, business registration, passport issuance, SIM card ownership, and voting rights all tied to National ID, the message is clear: If You Don’t have a National ID, You Don’t exist — Legally
In Uganda’s rapidly digitising economy, your National ID is your key to opportunity, protection, and proof of identity. Without it, you risk losing land, falling into legal traps, and being excluded from essential public services.
Whether you’re a student, landowner, businessperson, or farmer, the cost of not being registered far outweighs the time it takes to visit a NIRA centre.
So, what are you waiting for?