Uganda has launched a nationwide campaign to register and renew National Identity Cards, in what officials describe as a pivotal moment for the country’s digital transformation efforts.
The six-month exercise, led by the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA), began today and is expected to reach more than 33 million people—comprising 15.8 million renewals and 17.2 million new registrations. Among them are infants, children, and adults who have not previously been registered.
The drive comes as millions of National IDs are set to expire by June 2025, with many already lapsed. Authorities are urging citizens to avoid crowding registration centres and to make use of online pre-registration platforms and decentralised services operating at district, parish, and sub-county levels.
“We promised to roll out #NIDMassEnrollment today, and we are making good on it,” NIRA posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) account. “Don’t stampede. Take advantage of other avenues like pre-registration.”
Who Is Eligible?
The campaign is open to all Ugandan citizens who have not previously registered—this includes infants and children—as well as anyone whose National ID has expired or been lost.
How to Register or Renew
Registration can be done at designated NIRA centres, with mobile operations rotating across Uganda’s 10,594 parishes. An online pre-registration platform is also available at https://prereg.nsis.nira.go.ug, where applicants can begin the process and receive an application ID. Biometrics are captured later at a nearby centre—no need to print forms.
Key Fees and Services
- Renewal of National ID: Free
- Lost ID Replacement: UGX 50,000 (with police letter)
- Correction of Personal Details: UGX 200,000 (if a new ID is issued)
- New Alien’s ID: USD 100
- Express Service for New ID: UGX 300,000
Birth and death registration services will run alongside the ID exercise, with birth certificates costing between UGX 10,000 and UGX 50,000, depending on the age at registration.
Enhanced Security Features in New IDs
As part of the upgrade, the new generation of National IDs includes advanced security measures aimed at reducing identity fraud and supporting digital governance:
- Multiple Laser Images (MLI) and Optical Variable Ink to prevent tampering
- Machine Readable Zones (MRZ) and 2D QR Codes for quick digital verification
- Iris biometrics, in addition to fingerprint and facial scans
- Tactile features to aid visually impaired individuals
- Support for digital signatures, online and offline verification, and e-government integration
Officials say these features will help build a secure, verifiable national database crucial to delivering public services and improving citizen access to government programmes.
Community-Based Coordination
The registration effort is being coordinated at the district level by Resident District Commissioners (RDCs), with support from local leaders, security forces, and technical staff. Local Council 1 (LC1) chairpersons are central to mobilisation efforts, particularly in identifying and assisting vulnerable groups such as the elderly, persons with disabilities, and expectant mothers.
Parish registration sites will be divided into functional zones:
- Zone A: Vulnerable groups
- Zone B: Mass enrollment (pre-registered and walk-ins)
- Zone C: Renewals
- Zone D: ID Issuance
- Zone E: Persons under the SAGE elderly benefits programme
- Information Desk: General assistance and forms
NIRA has assured the public that each site will be equipped with secure and traceable biometric kits, supported by trained teams and overseen by subcounty supervisors, district security committees, and the police.
As Uganda moves toward a fully digitised national identification system, officials say this mass enrollment is a critical step in ensuring no citizen is left behind.
