NIRA pushes mass  enrollment for upgraded national IDs to July

Registration body, NIRA has pushed the mass registration for national IDs all over the country  to July this year.

Initially, the exercise was set to kick off on June, 1 but according to  NIRA Executive Director, Rosemary Kisembo, this wasn’t possible.

“The mass enrollment and renewal exercise was set to start on June, 1, 2024 but due to unforeseen delays in the procurement process, the exercise didn’t take off. Nevertheless, by the end of July, 2024, the exercise will commence,” Kisembo said.

“As you are aware finances for this exercise were appropriate in December, 2023 but the procurement process in its nature is a mind step process and sometimes when it involves international bidders, it is even takes longer than usual.”

Kisembo however explained that with the 2026 election roadmap already out and the currently national IDs meant to expire beginning August, they are doing all it takes to ensure the delays don’t affect service delivery.

NIRA recently announced that the mass enrollment for registration for the upgraded national IDs will be done in 10 months in 10717 parishes around the country.

The new IDs will have upgraded biometrics apart from the face and fingerprints which are currently available on the national IDs.

“We are adding the iris which has a unique signature for every person. Even if you are blind, you have an iris. We are increasing the biometrics we are capturing on the register for inclusivity so that if your fingerprints are damaged, your iris can help us uniquely identify you,” Kisembo said recently.

Ugandans abroad will also be registered to get national IDs.