The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has officially kicked off its Mass Enrollment and Renewal Exercise for National Identity Cards (NIDs) across the country, marking a significant milestone in Uganda’s digital identification agenda.
The campaign, which started today, is expected to run for at least six months and targets over 15.8 million renewals and 17.2 million new registrations, including unregistered infants, children, and adults.
The exercise is in response to the imminent expiry of millions of National IDs by June 2025, with many having already lapsed. Citizens are encouraged not to panic or crowd centres but to utilise pre-registration platforms and multiple access points set up across districts, parishes, and sub-counties.
“We promised to roll out #NIDMassEnrollment today, and we are making good on it. This project shall last at least six months. Don’t stampede. Take advantage of other avenues like pre-registration,” NIRA posted via its official X handle.
Key Information About the Exercise:
Who is eligible?
All unregistered Ugandans, including infants, toddlers, youths, and adults.
Where to register or renew?
At any NIRA registration centre, especially during the rotating parish-level operations, which are designed to cover all of Uganda’s 10,594 parishes.
Pre-registration option:
Citizens can start the process online via https://prereg.nsis.nira.go.ug. After receiving an application ID, they can visit the nearest registration centre to have biometrics captured, without needing to print any forms.
Replacement of lost IDs:
Requires a police letter and a fee of UGX 50,000.
Change of particulars:
Handled strictly at district offices and subject to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Fee Structure Highlights: Renewal of National ID: Free (standard procedure), Lost ID replacement: UGX 50,000, Correction of errors with new ID required: UGX 200,000, New Alien’s ID: USD 100 and Express service for new ID: UGX 300,000
Birth registration services also continue under the exercise, with certificates ranging from UGX 10,000 to UGX 50,000, depending on the child’s age at registration. Death registration and certification also continue concurrently.
Upgraded National IDs with Enhanced Security
NIRA has also unveiled a new generation of National IDs equipped with sophisticated security features aimed at reducing fraud and supporting digital government services: Multiple Laser Images (MLI): Embedded holographic-style images visible at different angles, Machine Readable Zones (MRZ): For instant data capture by digital readers and QR and 2D Barcodes: Enable faster verification with smartphones and scanners.
Others include: Iris Biometrics: Added to fingerprint and facial scans, enhancing accuracy for older citizens; Optical Variable Ink: Protects the photo from tampering and Tactile Features: Allow visually impaired users to identify cards by touch.
The IDs also support online and offline verification, digital signatures, and integration with e-government services, making them foundational to Uganda’s digital transformation.
District-Level Coordination
Each district is governed by a Coordination Committee chaired by the RDC and involving local leaders, security, and technical personnel. Local Council 1 (LC1) chairpersons are tasked with mobilisation, identifying vulnerable groups (including the elderly, disabled, and pregnant women), and assisting during registration days.
At the parish level, zones are created for different categories: Zone A: Vulnerable groups (infants, pregnant women), Zone B: Mass enrollment (pre-registered and walk-ins), Zone C: Mass renewals, Zone D: ID issuance, Zone E: Persons with disabilities and elderly (SAGE programme) and Information Area: Forms and help desk.
NIRA has reassured the public that all kits are secured, tracked, and supported with technical and security teams at each level, including Subcounty Supervisors, District Security Committees, and the Police.