The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has commenced a nationwide mass renewal and registration exercise for National Identity Cards, with officials targeting more than 15.8 million Ugandans whose cards have expired or are due for renewal.
The launch event, held in Kampala, was presided over by NIRA Executive Director Rosemary Kisembo, who emphasized the strategic importance of the exercise in strengthening Uganda’s identification infrastructure.
“This is not just about renewing IDs,” Kisembo said. “It is about building a smarter, more secure national identification system that will support digital governance, financial inclusion, and improved access to public services.”
The exercise, which will run until late November 2025, will also cater to first-time registrants—particularly young people who have recently turned 18—as well as citizens seeking corrections on their existing documents.
Kisembo confirmed that registration points have been fully activated in parishes nationwide, with more than 5,300 biometric registration kits deployed across Uganda’s sub-counties to facilitate the process.
NIRA officials have urged the public to take advantage of the decentralized registration process and avoid waiting until the final weeks of the campaign, warning that delays could lead to congestion and missed deadlines.
The renewed IDs are expected to incorporate enhanced security features and technological upgrades, making them more resistant to fraud and identity theft.
The current mass registration is part of a broader digital transformation agenda by the Ugandan government, aimed at improving service delivery and streamlining national data systems.
This marks the second mass renewal exercise since the rollout of the national ID program in 2014, when more than 14 million Ugandans were first issued cards.
The process is free of charge for renewals, first-time registration, and corrections, although officials have advised citizens to carry necessary supporting documents to their nearest registration centers to avoid delays.
The public can access further details and updates on the NIRA website or by visiting their nearest parish registration center.
