CamScanner 23-11-2025 19.40-1
UgandaToday: Confusion Reigns as Ugandans Struggle to Collect New National IDs Amid Contradictory NIRA Guidelines
By Chris Kato – Uganda Today
As the nationwide mass enrollment and renewal of National Identity Cards enters a critical phase, thousands of Ugandans remain stranded—not because their cards are unavailable, but because the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has issued contradictory, confusing and often inconsistent instructions on where and how citizens should collect them.
For a process as sensitive as national identification, clarity should be the backbone. Unfortunately, that is the very thing NIRA has struggled to provide.
A Journalist’s Ordeal: “Just Go There and See”
As a media practitioner seeking accurate information for both public benefit and my own card collection, I contacted a NIRA Public Affairs Officer to confirm the process. This was after the Authority had publicly advised citizens that while renewals could be done at any registration centre, collection of the printed cards would strictly be at the NIRA office corresponding to one’s area of residence.
To avoid wasted time, I called the PRO for clear guidance.
Her response was simple yet unclear:
“Go to Kawempe NIRA office. If you don’t find it there, proceed to Kira Division.” I followed this advice diligently.
Stop 1: Kawempe NIRA Office
My card was not there.
Stop 2: Kira Division NIRA Office
I arrived only to be told that cards were being issued at Namugongo Martyrs Shrine Collection Centre.
Stop 3: Namugongo Martyrs Shrine
Here, I joined an unbearably long queue under scorching heat—only to be informed that my card was not at that centre either. Why? Because I had registered at St. Ponsiano Ngondwe Bbuto, and therefore my card had been forwarded to the Rest Gardens Kireku–Bweyogerere NIRA Collection Point.
Stop 4: Rest Gardens Kireku–Bweyogerere
After traveling across the city and dedicating an entire day, I finally secured my ID. This is not an experience any citizen should endure.
A National Pattern: Cards Issued, But Not Recognised
The confusion is not limited to collection points. Even after obtaining the cards, many citizens are finding that their new National IDs are not yet synchronised with the electronic systems used by telecoms, banks, and other service providers. A telling example is Joy Bongyereirwe from Kisoro District.
After her SIM card was lost, Joy attempted to register a replacement using her newly issued National ID. To her surprise, MTN informed her that the system could not recognise the ID because it had not yet been updated in the NIRA–telecom shared database.
Joy’s case is not isolated. Across Uganda, new ID holders continue to face service denial because NIRA has not officially communicated:
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When the old IDs will cease to be valid,
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When the new IDs will be fully synchronised with third-party systems,
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And how long the transitional period will last.
The Glaring Gap: NIRA Must Speak to Ugandans
At the core of the crisis is a failure of communication. For a national project serving over 40 million citizens, the public deserves:
1. A clear, standardised guide on where to collect new IDs
NIRA should publish a verified list of collection centres updated daily, broken down by:
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District
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Sub-county
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Parish
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Original registration point
2. A national announcement on ID validity timelines
Ugandans need to know:
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When old IDs will officially expire
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When new IDs will be recognised by banks, telecoms, and government systems
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How long data synchronisation will take
3. A streamlined, alphabetically sorted card-packaging system
Currently, issuing officers shuffle through large unsorted stacks of cards—wasting time and causing congestion. Alphabetical sorting by surname would reduce waiting time by up to 70%.
4. Mass sensitisation through media and community leaders
NIRA must urgently:
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Use radio, TV, online platforms, and district notice boards
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Explain step-by-step procedures
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Publish daily updates on card availability
Ugandans are willing to collect their IDs. What they lack is accurate direction.
The Bottom Line
The National ID is the backbone of digital identity, telecom access, banking, mobile money, health services, travel, and employment. A disorganised issuance system has real consequences on citizens’ daily lives. NIRA has done commendable work in producing the cards.
Now it must excel in issuing them efficiently and sensitising the public properly.
Until then, millions will continue wandering from centre to centre—just like I did—hoping to find the one document that should have been easiest to access.
Readers are encouraged to watch an explainer video from a NIRA officer here:
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