The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has officially unveiled the new design and enhanced features of Uganda’s upgraded National Identification cards, ahead of a nationwide mass enrollment exercise set to begin on May 27.
Speaking on Wednesday, NIRA Executive Director Rosemary Kisembo said the new IDs come with advanced biometric capabilities including fingerprint and iris recognition, significantly boosting identity verification and security.
“The upgraded ID will feature laser engraving technology to embed multiple images visible at different angles, a critical measure against counterfeiting,” Kisembo announced. She added that the cards will also include a Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) similar to those found in passports, allowing quick and reliable data scanning.
Other features include a two-dimensional barcode capable of storing and encrypting data such as personal identification or URLs, which can be accessed using smartphones or specialized scanners.
“The ID will support online and offline verification, digital signatures, secure credential access, eGovernment service support, and compatibility with major mobile and tablet platforms,” Kisembo added.
To facilitate the mass enrollment process, NIRA plans to deploy 5,300 registration kits across parishes nationwide, with an additional 200 kits held in reserve. The nationwide registration is aimed at issuing new IDs to citizens as part of a broader national digital identity initiative.
