By Sadique Bamwita
ENTEBBE
In order to ensure every Ugandan citizen has a valid National Identify card, the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) on December 28, 2024 received 1000 biometric registration kits.
These kits will help to process and renew national identity cards for over 20 million Ugandans ahead of the 2026 polls.
The registration kits were handed over to Rosemary Kisembo who was accompanied by Maj. Gen. Apollo Gowa-the Director Citizenship and Immigration Control, and Hon. Benny Prossy Namugwanya -the Deputy Executive Director for NIRA.
The Executive Director for National Identification and Registration Authority, Mrs. Rosemary Kisembo said the first batch of the acquired biometric registration kits will be stored in NIRA warehouse as the authority awaits more kits to conduct mass enrollment of Ugandan citizens.
She expressed optimism that the kits will help to roll out mass registration of Ugandan citizens in addition to renewing national identity cards that expired last month. She revealed that second batch of registration kits will arrive between 7th to 15th January 2025.
Mrs. Rosemary Kisembo, noted that the registration kits come at a critical time when most Ugandans had their national identity cards expired while others are have reached eligiblity age to acquire a national identify card.
She further revealed that very soon government will receive more 5665 biometric machines so as to be able to carry out mass registration of Ugandan citizens and renewal of expired national identity cards.
It should be recalled that by September 2022, the National Identification Register had 25.9 million Ugandans registered, with an estimated 17.4 million citizens yet to register to attain a national ID.
