On Monday, July 22, 2024, Parliament’s Committee on Commission’s Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) questioned the leadership of the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) regarding a Ugx18.3 billion payment to the Uganda Security Printing Company (USPC).
This payment is part of the projected Ugx 61 billion cost for the national identity cards.
The committee raised concerns about USPC, citing numerous unresolved issues related to the company’s capacity, ownership, and mandate. These aspects were not sufficiently explained.
Committee chairperson Medard Lubega Sseggona led the session and interrogated NIRA officials, including Executive Director Rosemary Kisembo. He questioned the rationale behind making such a substantial payment to a company with unclear operational details and scope.
Rosemary Kisembo, the Executive Director of NIRA, defended the payment, which accounts for 30% of the total projected cost. She stated that the payment for blank cards was made in June 2024 after extensive consultation with the Attorney General.
“We thoroughly consulted with the Attorney General. We sought guidance at the time for maintenance, and we clearly communicated this,” Kisembo explained.
However, the committee remained unconvinced by her defense.
As the investigation progresses, NIRA officials are expected to face increased scrutiny to ensure that the national identity card project is being managed responsibly and cost-effectively.
Comments are closed.