The National Information Registration Authority(NIRA) executive director, Rosemary Kisembo has refuted the myth that if someone has no fingerprints, is denied registration process to access national IDs.
She noted that apparently NIRA has over 1.4 million people registered with no fingerprints, and in this case, they use the biometrics of the face.
Loss of fingerprints, known as adermatoglyphia, can be caused by various factors, including genetic conditions, skin diseases, trauma, burns, and certain medical treatments, including chemotherapy.
Ms Rose Kisembo who was speaking during Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue on Safeguards in Uganda’s Digital Transformation convened by Initiative for Social and Economic Rights in partnership with the Safeguards Initiative and under the stewardship of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) also assured Ugandans of the security of their personal data.
She emphasized that Uganda has an adequate legal framework to deal with the risks associated with personal data. “The Data Protection Act articulates how such data should be handled at all stages, and we are working closely with the Personal Data Protection Office (PDPO) to ensure compliance with these guidelines.”
Ms. Raja Rajeshwari, DPI Safeguards Advisor @UNDP & the @ODET_UN makes a presentation on DPI Safeguards Framework highlights key principles and calling for all stakeholders to ensure safe and inclusive DPI.#SAFEDPI #DigitalisationAndHumanRightsUG #Safeguards @LetsCoDevelop pic.twitter.com/ANTfbvl678
— ISER Uganda (@ISERUganda) March 6, 2025
In an interview with media on sidelines of the Dialogue Ms Elizabeth Atori, Program Manager at ISER, said “Uganda has a digital ID system and a UG Hub platform where government agencies would go and access digital data to provide services for citizens. But as we adopt these technologies, we must ensure they are human rights-centered, inclusive, and accessible to all, including persons.”
She further stressed the need for inclusivity in Uganda’s digital ID system and other government technologies, noting that without robust safeguards, digital transformation efforts could lead to privacy violations and security risks.
According to her, while 60% of Ugandan’s population is enrolled in the digital ID system, 40% remains excluded.
Our multi-stakeholder engagement in partnership with @NamatiKenya, the DPI Safeguards Initiative, @UNDP and the @ODET_UN is underway! Today, we’re co-creating solutions to center Human rights safeguards in Uganda’s digital transformation. Key focus: Generating recommendations to… pic.twitter.com/2lQdmLXKII
— ISER Uganda (@ISERUganda) March 6, 2025
