BUNYORO Sub-region– The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) in Uganda recently started the mass renewal and enrollment of National Identity Cards however in some areas the exercise is facing some serious challenges due to widespread confiscation of IDs by money lenders.
The confiscation of National IDs is a growing concern among residents in the districts of Hoima, Kikube and Bulisa, especially those living along the shores of Lake Albert, may miss out on updating their national IDs after surrendering the original copies as collateral for quick loans.
Mr. Uthman Kadir Mugisha the Hoima district LC5 Chairperson, says most of these individuals have failed to pay back money. “These money leaders, easily give money, but they always give it at a high interest. So most of our people have failed to return this money back, which has now made the money Lenders confiscate their original national IDs. The local government puzzled on how we can handle the matter, because the money lender says that some if them borrowed much which has accumulated. You find someone borrowing 500,000 it accumulates to a tune of 3 million.”
The exercise began on May 27, 2025, and is ongoing. The goal is to renew the cards of 15.8 million people whose IDs are expiring, as well as register 17.2 million new citizens.The registration process is taking place at a parish level across all districts in Uganda.
Regulations
UMRA guidelines prohibit money lenders from taking National IDs, passports, or other identity documents as collateral.
The government is plans to implement a digital National ID system to further reduce the risk of physical IDs being used as collateral. Individuals who are being coerced to surrender their National IDs should report the issue to the relevant authorities.
