Apac, Uganda | Uganda has launched a comprehensive nationwide mass enrollment and renewal campaign for National Identity Cards, starting in Apac District.
The exercise, led by the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA), officially began on Monday and is expected to serve over 33 million citizens.
This countrywide operation is not just a renewal of old cards—it signifies a critical shift toward digital identity management.
The new IDs are designed to support biometric security, mobile compatibility, and eGovernment integration.
Officials have described the new IDs as a significant leap in modernizing citizen identification.
The upgraded cards include fingerprint and iris recognition, digital signature support, and both online and offline verification capabilities.
Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Joan Apio expressed confidence in the improved systems, stating that the new biometric equipment represented a considerable improvement over previous setups.
She advised NIRA officials to avoid transporting the equipment during night hours, citing security concerns.
Apio further pledged that the government would offer full security support to ensure the safety of the equipment and the smooth execution of the registration process.
She also warned the registration teams against soliciting money from citizens, reminding them that the entire process is funded by the government and must remain free.
She stressed that anyone caught engaging in extortion would face arrest and legal consequences.
The Acting Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of Apac District, Paul Muboki, welcomed the timing of the exercise, which he believed would enable many residents to renew expired or lost IDs.
He said the government’s decision to offer free replacements for lost cards was commendable and encouraged residents to take the opportunity seriously.
Muboki noted that national IDs had become essential for accessing most government services and therefore urged citizens to protect their IDs from loss or damage.
Richard Owachgiu, the District Registration Officer, clarified that the current phase of the exercise would prioritize individuals whose national IDs had already expired—particularly those who registered in 2014 and 2015.
He explained that citizens whose IDs were still valid would be required to wait until the appropriate time, as the focus was now on expired documents.
Owachgiu assured the public that every sub-county in Apac District would be covered, and eligible individuals were encouraged to report to their nearest registration centers with the necessary documents.
The nationwide campaign, which commenced on 27 May 2025, targets over 15.8 million Ugandans whose IDs are due to expire by June 2025, in addition to around 17.2 million others who have never been registered.
NIRA has deployed both fixed and mobile registration units to ensure wide and equitable access, including in rural and hard-to-reach areas.
The government believes the initiative aligns with the broader goals of Uganda’s National Development Plan III and the Digital Uganda Vision, which aim to create a secure, inclusive, and technology-driven society.
Officials have reiterated that the national ID is more than a legal document—it is a vital link to citizenship, representation, and services.
Failure to renew or acquire one could potentially limit an individual’s access to health care, banking, education, and electoral participation.