pressug.com News 24 7
Related Articles
Residents in Kikuube district have accused officials of the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) of demanding illegal payments for National ID services that are supposed to be offered free of charge.
The complaints have emerged from Kyangwali and Katikara parishes in Kyangwali sub-county, where residents claim some officials involved in the ongoing mass national registration exercise are charging between Shs 10,000 and Shs 30,000 to process applications or release National IDs.
The allegations come amid the nationwide registration and renewal exercise, during which most services are provided free of charge, except for a few gazetted services such as replacement of lost IDs and correction of personal details.
Several residents say they have been unable to obtain their National IDs because they cannot afford the alleged unofficial charges. Jane Kyakuhaire, a resident of Katikara village, alleged that she was asked to pay Shs 10,000 before receiving her National ID.
Harriet Kunihira similarly claimed that officials demanded Shs 20,000 from her to access the same service. She questioned why citizens were being asked to pay for services that are funded by taxpayers and delivered by salaried government employees.
Another resident, Emmanuel Alinda of Mburara village, called for investigations into the allegations and urged authorities to prosecute any officials found culpable.
Kikuube district LC V vice-chairperson Vincent Opio said his office had received several complaints from residents accusing some NIRA officials of extorting money during the exercise.
He warned that the district leadership would work with the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) to investigate the allegations and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.
Kikuube district NIRA registration officer Huzaifa Alinaitwe dismissed the allegations, maintaining that issuance of National IDs is entirely free of charge and that members of the public should not make any payments to officials.
He clarified that fees are only applicable in officially gazetted cases, including the replacement of lost IDs and the correction of personal information. Kikuube RDC Godwin Angalia said his office had also received similar complaints from residents and assured the public that investigations into the allegations were underway.
Related
, https://observer.ug/news/national-ids-kikuube-nira-officials-accused-of-extorting-money/
