In a colorful celebration of culture, identity, and unity, Uganda has launched a heartfelt campaign movement that’s as stylish as it is significant, aimed at encouraging Ugandans to embrace their identity by getting registered.
The “I Am NIN-ed, I Am Ugandan” initiative, unveiled today by the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA), invites every citizen to not only be registered but to share their identity like a badge of honor.
It has been nine weeks since NIRA launched the six-month nationwide exercise for the renewal of National IDs and mass registration for new ones.
“I Am NINed, I Am Ugandan” isn’t just a slogan, it’s a national call to action. Enroll. Know what makes you Ugandan. Tell your offspring. Preserve us. Own your identity,” NIRA Registrar Claire Ollama noted.
“We want to make being NIN-ed the hottest, most beautiful thing in the country. Something that makes you say: Yes, I’m Ugandan, and I love it unapologetically.”
From the rich traditions of Karamoja to the rhythms of Busoga, from the hilled vibes of Kigezi to the lush lands of Paidha, this nationwide identity drive is not just about documentation. It’s about celebration of culture and diversity of the Pearl of African and its people.
Your identity, your heritage, your Uganda
“I AM NIN-ed, I AM Ugandan” is the unique code that connects citizens to their culture, rights, opportunities, and nationhood. But according to Ollama, it’s much more than that.
She says deing NIN-ed is being seen, being known, being part of something bigger.
To her it is saying I belong, whether you’re Alur, Musoga, Bamasaba, Banyankole, or any of the 65 beautiful tribes in Uganda.
Article 10 of Uganda’s Constitution clearly outlines citizenship, by birth, by registration, or by naturalization.
“Formerly I was America, and I chose to come and work in Uganda and I become Ugandan by registration. Maybe I have naturalized here or my grandparents were here before 1920, and so I am white but I am still a citizen by birth. So, I don’t have a tribe but I am a proud Ugandan,” she said.
#IamNINed #IamUgandan-Hashtag with Heart
The campaign is powered by social media, music, poetry, and vibrant cultural showcases. It’s inviting Ugandans, from children to elders, urban influencers to village griots, to join the movement.
“What do I mean. For example, I am clear, I hail from Paidah, I am Alur, I come from Zombo, My mother is a Musoga from Luuka, I am so Uganda, I am so NIN-ed. Show what makes you Ugandan,” she noted.
This she says, is sowing patriotism, sowing for the love of our country, but also teaches primary one or kindergarten children, the way they sing the rhyme ‘Baba Blackship’ “can they show off their Ugandanness, are they NIN-ed, do they have a certificate, does their government know them”.
And the call to action is loud and clear: Ugandans from all the corners from Kisoro to Arua, from Karamoja to Amudat to Kasese…be loud about your tribe, your language, your music; share the vibe by joining the Hashtag #IamNIN-ed #IamUganda.
A poetic celebration of diversity
NIRA plans also to roll out a poem that anyone can adapt to their cultural rhythm.
Ollama says whether you are Ik, Venoma……the invitation is open: showcase your uniqueness.
“Lets share diversity, lets share our uniqueness so that you that you know that Uganda is more than my Alur people. Uganda is more than the Banyarwanda, Uganda is more than the Basoga…there is so much beauty in Uganda, so much heritage,” she noted.
She encourages all cultural players to come on board, share the vibe from Teso, showcase the energy from Mbale, the heart of Bamasaba land, and let us see what’s happening in Kigezi.
Let’s showcase Uganda, get NIN-ed, be identified, and raise our voices.
Encourage your fellow Mukiga, your fellow Kigezi native, to register for their NIN and help set the record straight.
Ollama noted that this is how we preserve our tribes and protect our indigenous communities from fading away.
Let’s ensure we are recognized, not forgotten.
Ready to show off your Ugandanness? Join the movement: #IamNINed #IamUgandan. Get registered and secure a National ID.
