Govt says national ID renewal timeline will be met

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The government is preparing to launch the renewal of expired national identity cards and mass enrolment for those turning 18.

Gen. David Muhoozi, the State Minister for Internal Affairs, reassured MPs that although the process was slightly delayed, it would still meet the deadline for completion.

Muhoozi addressed mounting pressure from Parliament during a plenary session on January 28, 2025, confirming that the renewal process would begin soon.

He explained that the validity of national ID cards, initially set at 10 years, has been extended by an additional one year. This extension is a result of amendments made in 2024 to the Registration of Persons Regulations. As a result, all IDs now remain valid for 11 years.

Muhoozi explained that the expiry dates on national IDs serve several important functions namely; security updates that as technology evolves, new security features are added to the cards to prevent forgery.

On data accuracy, he said the renewal encourages citizens to update their personal information, ensuring NIRA (National Identification and Registration Authority) maintains an accurate database.

Regarding wear and tear, he noted that over time, physical IDs become damaged, and expiry dates ensure timely replacements.

He said there was a need for compliance with international standards: The validity period aligns Uganda’s national IDs with global standards for travel documents, especially within the East African Community (EAC).

Muhoozi clarified that while the ID cards expire, a person’s citizenship does not, as the National Identification Number (NIN) remains valid for life.

However, some citizens have faced challenges, particularly in using expired IDs for regional travel. To mitigate this, the Ministry of Internal Affairs has engaged with EAC member states to ensure the extended validity is accepted.

In addition to the renewal process, NIRA is upgrading its systems and exploring the introduction of electronic IDs (e-IDs) that will not expire. This is part of a long-term plan to streamline the system and reduce the costs and inconveniences associated with physical renewals.

“We aim for this to be the last mass physical renewal,” Muhoozi said. He noted that technological advancements, such as iris scans, will help accommodate those whose fingerprints are not readable due to physical labour.

Muhoozi confirmed that while progress is being made on the necessary infrastructure and staff training, the renewal process will begin before the extended one-year period expires.

He reiterated that challenges such as limited internet access, and limited access to smartphones affect the shift towards digital IDs in the future.

Thomas Tayebwa, the deputy speaker of Parliament who chaired the House, raised issues with the technical limitations of current systems, such as the chip expiry on IDs and difficulties in capturing fingerprints.

Tayebwa emphasised that the chips on the ID cards have an expiry limit, and the software should be updated accordingly.

He highlighted the difficulty faced by manual labourers whose fingerprints are worn down, asking if alternative data capture methods could be implemented.

Tayebwa raised concerns about the unregistered foreign nationals and the lack of opportunities for many people seeking employment in the registration process.

However, MPs expressed concerns about the accessibility of renewal services, especially in remote areas. Some called for the process to be decentralised to sub-county levels.

MPs highlighted gaps in coordination between various government agencies, such as the Electoral Commission, which is updating voter registrations, and the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), which conducted the national census.

MPs pressed for quicker action on the expired IDs from the Ministry of Internal Affairs to remain committed to ensuring the renewal process is as smooth and efficient as possible.

Agnes Kirabo (Youth, NRM) proposed that the identity card renewal process be extended to sub-county levels, noting that parents are unable to obtain birth certificates for their children due to expired ID cards.

Kiwanuka Abdallah (Mukono North, NUP) inquired about the timeline for the renewal exercise, while Roland Ndyomugyenyi (Rukiga County, Independent) criticised the lack of coordination among government agencies, pointing out that the Electoral Commission and Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) could have collaborated. He suggested an online renewal option, questioning what was hindering the process from starting immediately.

Alfred Elalu-Olale (Kaberamaido County, NRM) highlighted the challenges elderly citizens face due to the distance they must travel to access registration services, especially with the limited number of computers available.

Asuman Basalirwa (Bugiri Municipality, JEEMA) argued that while the Ministry sets the expiry dates, the one-year extension does not resolve the mass registration challenge. He called for a longer extension and criticised the imposition of a fine for not registering, pointing out the ministry’s insufficient resources, such as a lack of machines and trained personnel. He suggested removing the fine due to these challenges.

Ibrahim Ssemujju (Kira Municipality, FDC). (Credit: Maria Wamala)

Ibrahim Ssemujju (Kira Municipality, FDC) proposed that the same personnel who conducted the national census could assist NIRA and the Electoral Commission, provided they are adequately trained.