The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has announced that more than five million national identity cards have already been produced and distributed to districts across Uganda. However, the agency expressed concern that many citizens are yet to collect their cards despite repeated reminders.
During a press briefing held at the Police Headquarters in Naguru, NIRA’s Registrar, Claire Ollama, revealed that the production and distribution of the IDs were progressing smoothly but that public response had been slow. She said many Ugandans continue to ask about the whereabouts of their cards even though most have already been dispatched to their respective districts.
According to Ollama, the mass registration exercise has yielded great results, and several Ugandans have started receiving their national IDs. She noted that more than five million cards had already been printed and sent to local government offices across the country, with each district receiving thousands of cards. For instance, Abim received 8,141 cards, Adjumani 27,000, Alebtong 25,000, and Arua City 43,500, among others. Ugandans living abroad also have cards ready, including 200 for Australia, 50 for Belgium, and 546 for Kenya.
Despite this progress, Ollama voiced frustration that many citizens had not gone to collect their cards. She urged people to visit their district NIRA offices to pick them up, emphasizing that the distribution process takes time since registration was done in phases. She appealed to local leaders to help spread the message so that citizens can retrieve their cards as soon as possible.
Ollama also unveiled the new national ID design, which features advanced security elements. The updated cards include engraved and ghost images to prevent forgery, as well as a shiny feature that becomes visible when the card is tilted or exposed to ultraviolet light. Each card now carries a barcode that can help detect fakes instantly.
In an effort to make the cards more inclusive, Ollama said the new design caters to the visually impaired by embossing the names, allowing blind individuals to identify their cards through touch.
She further cautioned the public against using brokers or middlemen to process IDs, stressing that all NIRA services are free. She cited cases where some individuals charged citizens 10,000 shillings for forms that only cost 300 shillings to print, advising Ugandans to get forms directly from official offices or print them themselves.
Ollama concluded by reminding citizens that the national ID is more than just a card—it is a gateway to essential services, employment opportunities, and proof of citizenship. She encouraged everyone whose card is ready to collect it immediately, saying the success of the national identification program depends on public cooperation and participation.