The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has commenced the production and distribution of new and renewed national identity cards across Uganda. This follows the official launch of the mass enrollment and renewal exercise on May 27, 2025.
The nationwide initiative targets the renewal of 15.8 million expiring ID cards and the registration of 17.2 million new applicants.
So far, 100,000 IDs have been processed and awaiting dispatch to various collection centers.
NIRA’s registrar, Claire Ollama, confirmed that recipients will receive SMS notifications with details on where to collect their ID cards.
The mass registration is being conducted at the parish level in all districts and is expected to run for six to ten months.
NIRA also intends to start the registration of school children this month.
The new ID cards feature upgraded security elements, including Multiple Laser Images (MLI), Machine-Readable Zones (MRZ), QR codes, and 2D barcodes, to enhance authenticity and reduce forgery.
Applicants may either pre-register online and finalize the process at their local parish center or complete the entire registration manually at the site. All applicants must present the required documents in person for either new registration or renewal.
While the initial issuance of ID cards is free, a fee of UGX 50,000 applies for replacements due to loss, damage, or defacement. Individuals collecting their IDs must present their old cards; those who have lost theirs must present a police report.
Despite the scale of the campaign, NIRA has expressed concern over low turnout for new registrations, noting that most participants are currently renewing existing IDs
