Mukono, Uganda – A renewed nationwide campaign to update and replace National Identity Cards (IDs) kicked off in Mukono District today, spearheaded by the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA).
The launch began with the registration of the Mukono Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Hajjat Fatumah Ndisaba, signaling the beginning of a six-month mass registration and renewal exercise.
The exercise, which is free of charge, targets over 12,000 residents in Mukono district who were previously issued IDs.
This comes as part of the national ID renewal initiative officially starting tomorrow May, 27.
At the forefront of today’s launch in Mukono, RDC Hajjat Fatumah Ndisaba issued a stern warning to cult-like groups reportedly discouraging citizens from participating in government programs such as ID registration.
“Cults in the areas discouraging government programs including registration, we shall arrest you in your godly nature,” Ndisaba declared. “This system is not about elections; it’s about identity, access to services, and national security.”
She emphasized that national IDs play roles far beyond electoral processes, dispelling political claims that the initiative is election-driven.
Ndisaba further praised the enhanced efficiency of the new biometric system, which now includes iris scanning technology, minimizing past errors and eliminating delays caused by network outages.
Edwin Wesonga, the NIRA Head in Mukono, assured residents of a streamlined and more accessible process.
“Registration will take place at schools, sub-county headquarters, and other public spaces,” Wesonga said. “We encourage people to come with their old IDs. If lost, a police letter is required to confirm the loss.”
He added that people with errors on their previous IDs can have them corrected during this renewal, unless the errors are substantial enough to require court intervention.
Wesonga urged citizens to pre-register via the NIRA website to avoid long queues and processing delays.
Among the early registrants, Margret Nassuuna, a resident of Mukono, praised the upgraded system.
“The process is marvelous, simple, and quick,” Nassuuna remarked after successfully renewing her identity.
Meanwhile, RDC Ndisaba addressed specific groups such as the Banyarwanda community, who have previously struggled with access to national documents, assuring them of support throughout the process.
She also called out money lenders who confiscate people’s old IDs, demanding they return them so citizens can renew and regain access to vital services.
The nationwide ID renewal campaign is a legal and civic obligation under Uganda’s Registration of Persons Act, and failure to register or renew could result in limited access to public services and legal documentation.
With faster machines, reduced delays, and a crackdown on misinformation and obstruction, authorities in Mukono hope this renewed registration drive will set the pace for a seamless national rollout.
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