The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has issued a clear explanation on how old National ID cards will be handled as Uganda transitions to the new generation of upgraded, high-tech National IDs.
Speaking during the launch of the issuance exercise, NIRA Registrar Claire Olama emphasized that the old National IDs will not be confiscated. Instead, they will be marked administratively to show that they are expired while still remaining readable and functional for reference.
Old Cards Still Needed for Verification
Olama urged Ugandans to carry their old IDs when coming to collect the new ones, noting that the old cards remain an essential part of the verification process. “When you come, you need your old card to identify you. We look at it, we check if you’re the one, and once we find that your card is ready, we ask you to provide your biometric—your fingerprints or your iris—so that we complete the process and issue your new National ID,” she explained. Once the verification is complete, NIRA officers will return the old card to the owner, but with an administrative invalidation mark.
How the Marking Process Will Work
Olama clarified that the marking will be done carefully to avoid damaging important security features. “The NIRA officer must put an administrative mark in the form of a single punch on a blank corner that does not have data. Make sure the officer does not punch your barcode because we need your old card for posterity. It must remain readable,” she said.
The punch mark will signify that the card has expired and that the document number is no longer active, but the card will still remain part of an individual’s personal records. “After that, you walk away with two cards—one very clean, with no mark on it, and the old one with an invalidation mark in one corner that does not compromise its readability,” Olama added.
Smooth Collection Encouraged
Olama appealed to the public to maintain discipline as they collect their new IDs, urging citizens to follow official procedures and instructions at designated centers. “Happy card picking. I hope we will be people of decorum. We will line up, we will be patient, and as NIRA, we promise you that everybody who asks will get feedback from us about their application, and we shall all get national IDs.”
Nationwide Rollout Underway
NIRA has begun issuing the upgraded high-tech National IDs across designated collection points nationwide. The new cards come with enhanced security features and improved biometric capabilities aimed at strengthening identity management for both government and private-sector services