URSB hands over marriage registration role to NIRA

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In a significant milestone for public service reform in Uganda, the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) has officially handed over the mandate of marriage registration to the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA).

The move, executed under the Rationalisation of Agencies and Public Expenditure (RAPEX) framework, signals a new era of streamlined civil registration that will see births, marriages, and deaths all recorded under a single national body.

The transition that was marked by a handover ceremony in Kololo, Kampala, at NIRA head offices on April 24, 2025, was attended by top government officials and key stakeholders.

Speaking at the event, Mercy K. Kainobwisho, the Registrar General and CEO of URSB, described the moment as a “conclusion of a significant chapter and the beginning of another.”

“The handover follows the amendment of the relevant laws, which now place the responsibility for marriage registration with the National Identification and Registration Authority,” Kainobwisho announced.

“As the institution previously mandated with this responsibility, the Uganda Registration Services Bureau has embraced this transition with professionalism, humility, and a deep sense of duty to the people of Uganda,” she added.

Mercy K. Kainobwisho, the Registrar General and CEO of URSB (first left). (Courtesy)

Kainobwisho emphasised the meticulous planning and collaboration that went into the process, noting, “We have complied fully with the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development regarding the transfer of the relevant budgets from our Vote to that of NIRA.”

In a show of inter-agency solidarity, URSB extended logistical support to NIRA during the transition. “URSB continued to share facilities such as internet, lunch, medical insurance, and office space with our colleagues from NIRA to ensure uninterrupted service delivery,” she noted.

The URSB boss also commended the Ministry of Public Service (MoPS) for their leadership throughout the process, citing their role in preparing URSB’s civil registration staff for the change.

“At the peak of events, a team from MoPS conducted a change management training to allay anxieties and prepare our staff for the transition,” she said.

Revenue collected

URSB highlighted its past performance in marriage registration during the ceremony. In the financial year 2022/2023 alone, URSB collected Non-Tax Revenue (NTR) totaling sh1.94b from marriage registrations. Civil marriages registered in Kampala during the same period reached 2,717.

This impressive track record is now being handed over to NIRA, which has already registered 2,770 marriages, according to Rosemary Kisembo, Executive Director of NIRA.

“We are already experiencing an increase in the number of marriages being registered,” Kisembo said. “What this means for clients is that the whole story—from birth, to marriage, to death—will now be stored in one place,” she explained.

With over 27.7 million Ugandans already captured in NIRA’s national register, Kisembo said this transition is a golden opportunity. “We promise to be as effective as URSB has been, and even perform better,” she vowed.

Legislative Foundation

The transition is backed by legislation enacted in August 2024. According to Catherine Bitarakwate Musingwiire, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Public Service, the reforms stemmed from Cabinet Minute Extract 129 (CT 2024), which instructed her ministry to fast-track RAPEX implementation.

“The amendments of the Uganda Registration Services Bureau Act, 2024, and the Registration of Persons Act, 2024 were to, among other things, give effect to the transfer of the Civil Registration function,” she explained.

Bitarakwate praised the two institutions for their readiness and commitment to government reform. “This is the first seamless transition and handover we have witnessed since RAPEX began,” she said.

Vote of Confidence

Adding his voice to the commendations, Robert Kasande, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, also expressed admiration for the efficiency of the transition.

“Since we started implementing RAPEX, URSB has executed the transfer seamlessly and efficiently,” Kasande stated.

“Initially, there were sceptics who thought marriage registration, which was efficient at URSB, would suffer in NIRA. But I am confident NIRA is one of those efficient agencies and will uphold the same high standards,” he stated.

Kasande urged NIRA to continue delivering services with dignity. “Serve all Ugandans with dignity,” he said, adding, “I congratulate both institutions for this exceptionally good work and transition.”

Smooth Transition Process

Mercy K. Kainobwisho, the Registrar General and CEO of URSB and NIRA's Rosemary Kisembo. (Courtesy)

Rosemary Kisembo, Executive Director of NIRA. (Courtesy)

A comprehensive Board of Survey was conducted to verify all URSB-owned assets that were being used by the marriage registration team.

“The report from that exercise formed the official basis for today’s handover,” Kainobwisho said, recognising the oversight as key to ensuring accountability.

URSB’s Board of Directors was also hailed for their strategic vision. “Your wise counsel and unwavering commitment to the bigger picture helped steer us through this process with vision and integrity,” Kainobwisho noted.

“Let this not just be seen as a handover ceremony,” Kainobwisho concluded, “but as a celebration of collaboration, good governance, and public service working for the people.”