Kampala, Uganda – The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) is set to roll out a nationwide mass enrollment and renewal exercise for National Identification Numbers (NINs) and National ID cards, targeting 17.2 million new registrations and 15.8 million renewals.
This exercise will be conducted at the parish level across Uganda, ensuring accessibility for all citizens.
The program, scheduled to begin next month, follows the government’s one-year extension of expired National ID validity in 2024.
With millions of Ugandans needing registration and renewal, NIRA has commenced training 10,594 Registration Assistants at 21 regional centers to equip them with the necessary skills for the exercise.
Training sessions are being conducted in batches, with each group receiving four days of hands-on instruction.
The sessions cover:
1. Understanding NIRA’s mandate and the legal framework governing identity registration.
2. Data privacy and protection to ensure secure handling of citizens’ information.
3. Customer care principles, emphasizing professionalism, empathy, and efficient service delivery.
4. Operation of biometric kits, including scanner usage, data capture, and troubleshooting.
5. Citizenship verification to ensure only eligible individuals receive IDs.
As part of the training, the first group of Registration Assistants has already undergone an exit test to assess their knowledge and preparedness.
A NIRA official noted that many trainees demonstrated a strong grasp of the material, signaling a successful start to the program.
The mass registration exercise will utilize new and improved biometric kits designed to streamline data capture, especially in remote areas.
These kits feature:
1. Iris readers for enhanced identity verification.
2. Solar panels and extra battery power to ensure continuous operation in off-grid areas.
3. A secondary screen allowing applicants to review their data in real time before submission.
These advancements aim to reduce errors, speed up the registration process, and improve service delivery, particularly in underserved regions.
NIRA has clarified that renewing an expired National ID will be free of charge.
Citizens will only need to present their expired cards at their respective parish registration points for processing.
This decision is expected to encourage mass participation and prevent financial barriers to renewal.
During one of the training sessions, NIRA Executive Director Rosemary Kisembo delivered a keynote address emphasizing the importance of customer care.
She urged trainees to prioritize the needs of citizens, exercise patience, and treat registrants with dignity.
“I would like you to put yourselves in the shoes of the people you serve, most of whom have different challenges. Treat them the same way you would want to be treated,” Kisembo stated.
NIRA officials reiterated that an efficient, citizen-friendly approach will be key to the success of the exercise.
Registration Assistants are expected to guide applicants through every step, ensuring accuracy in biometric and biodata capture.
With training in full swing and deployment set to begin soon, Uganda is preparing for one of its largest national identity registration exercises.
Ugandans are encouraged to take advantage of the parish-level registration points to either obtain their first National ID or renew expired ones without delays.
