The long-awaited mass enrollment and renewal exercise for National Identity Cards (IDs) will finally begin on May 27, the government has announced. After months of delays, the Ministry of Internal Affairs confirmed that the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) will start registering millions of Ugandans across the country.

State Minister for Internal Affairs, General David Muhoozi, told journalists on Monday that the exercise will cover all 146 administrative districts, with enrollment teams working at the parish level. He explained that a pilot phase is already underway to test the system before the full rollout. The pilot, which started with the renewal of IDs for NIRA board members and top ministry officials, will run until May 26.

One of the main reasons for the mass renewal is the looming expiration of 15.8 million national IDs in June 2025. Many of these cards have already expired, leaving citizens in need of updated documents. Additionally, NIRA aims to register 17.2 million Ugandans who are not yet in the national database.

To handle the large-scale exercise, the government has procured 5,665 biometric registration kits and two high-speed card printers capable of producing 100,000 laser-engraved IDs per day. The new system, developed by Tahaluf Al Emarat Technical Solutions, includes enhanced security features such as iris recognition and allows for online pre-registration to speed up the process.

For those renewing their IDs, the requirements are simple. Applicants must present either their original expired ID, a photocopy, or a valid police report if the card was lost or stolen. The new ID will retain the same biographical details and identification number as the old one. However, those who need to correct personal details such as names, dates of birth, or parentage must apply separately for a “change of particulars” service.

Children under 18 registering for the first time must provide a photocopy of a parent’s national ID. If parents do not have IDs, documents from grandparents or other blood relatives may be used instead.

NIRA Executive Director Rosemary Kisembo assured the public that the government has allocated all necessary resources, including funding, to ensure the exercise runs smoothly. She emphasized that citizens will have the option to update their residential addresses during renewal but reminded them that any other changes to personal details require a separate application.

The mass enrollment and renewal exercise is crucial not only for updating records but also for ensuring that all Ugandans have valid identification for accessing services, voting, and other official transactions. With the new system in place, the government hopes to complete the process efficiently and avoid the delays that have frustrated citizens in the past.

As the May 27 start date approaches, officials urge the public to prepare their documents and cooperate with NIRA teams to make the exercise a success. This nationwide effort marks a significant step in strengthening Uganda’s identification system and ensuring that every citizen is properly registered.