The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has announced that the nationwide mass registration for national IDs will commence in June this year.
Speaking to journalists on Monday, NIRA Executive Director Rosemary Kisembo emphasized that the exercise aims to cover all regions of the country to ensure comprehensive participation.
“In June, we will initiate the mass enrollment and renewal process for national IDs, encompassing every corner of the nation. This endeavor will span across the 10,717 parishes in the country,” Kisembo stated.
She elaborated that the registration will extend over a 10-month period, prioritizing Ugandans aged 16 and above. This demographic must be registered by September or November to facilitate inclusion in the national voters’ register, prepared by the Electoral Commission ahead of the 2026 general election.
According to Section 5 of the Registration of Persons Act, NIRA is mandated to establish, manage, maintain, and operate the National Identification Register. This involves registering citizens and non-citizens of Uganda, recording births and deaths, and assigning a unique national identification number to each individual in the register.
Kisembo highlighted that while previous national IDs only included facial images and fingerprints, the new exercise will incorporate individuals’ iris scans. “In addition to fingerprints, we are incorporating iris scans, which provide a unique identifier for each person.
Even individuals who are visually impaired have distinct iris patterns. By expanding the biometric data captured in the register, we aim to enhance inclusivity, ensuring that even if fingerprints are damaged, iris scans can facilitate unique identification,” Kisembo explained.
She noted that out of Uganda’s population of 45 million, the current national identification register comprises only 27 million individuals.
Therefore, the registration aims to include an additional 17 to 18 million Ugandans. Kisembo also emphasized that Ugandans living abroad will be included in the registration process to ensure they receive national IDs.
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