Ugandans May Need Existing Ids for New National Identification Cards in Mass Registration
The National Identification Registration Authority (NIRA) is considering a plan to require Ugandans to present their existing national identification cards before obtaining new ones during the upcoming mass registration.
The National Identification Registration Authority (NIRA) is considering a plan that would necessitate all Ugandans to present their existing national identification cards before obtaining new ones during the upcoming mass registration.
This announcement comes as part of NIRA’s initiative to enroll citizens for updated national IDs featuring new elements, including DNA information.
The current national IDs, issued a decade ago, are set to expire this year. In a press briefing held in Kampala on 9th January 2024, NIRA spokesperson Osbone Mushabe stated that the proposal aims to ensure that individuals seeking new national IDs must first submit their old ones.
Mushabe highlighted that NIRA’s records indicate a significant number of Ugandans have either lost, misplaced, or utilized their national IDs as collateral for loans, subsequently failing to retrieve or replace them.
Emphasizing the importance of possessing a valid national ID, Mushabe underscored its crucial role in accessing essential government services and other sectors such as banking.
He urged Ugandans who have lost their national IDs to initiate replacement procedures promptly, emphasizing the necessity to avoid challenges during the mass renewal exercise.
Mushabe clarified that the proposal is pending clearance but emphasized the urgency for individuals to comply.
Additionally, Mushabe cautioned against the illegal practice of using national IDs as collateral for loans, particularly from moneylenders. He advised those engaged in such activities to cease, emphasizing that during the mass renewal exercise, citizens must possess their old cards for the issuance of new ones.
While the proposal awaits official clearance, NIRA remains committed to streamlining the mass registration process and ensuring the issuance of updated national IDs with enhanced features, including DNA information.
