The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has today, May 27, 2025, officially kicked off a nationwide mass enrollment and renewal exercise for National Identity Cards (IDs), marking the beginning of a critical campaign aimed at updating and expanding Uganda’s national registry.
This large-scale exercise targets both first-time applicants and citizens whose IDs are set to expire, especially those reaching their ten-year validity period by June 2025.
The exercise is expected to last for six to ten months, and will cover all districts in the country.
During this time, NIRA will renew about 15.8 million expiring IDs and issue new IDs to 17.2 million citizens who missed the first registration.
The registration will be conducted at the parish level, with registration points available from Monday to Saturday.
As part of the new registration strategy, NIRA also rolled out an online application portal accessible via its official website.
The digital platform allows users to initiate the application process from the comfort of their homes or offices.
Applicants are issued a unique application ID, which they will present at a NIRA center for biometric capture, including fingerprint and iris scans.
However, NIRA has advised applicants to use a computer for accessing the portal, citing limited mobile functionality during this initial phase.
What You Need to Know
Renewing an ID is free if the applicant presents the original or a photocopy of their expired card.
First-time adult applicants must provide a relative’s national ID copy such as that of a parent or grandparent and either a local council letter or citizenship certificate.
Children under 18 must also present a relative’s ID copy, while those replacing lost IDs will need a police report or a copy of the old card.
Those seeking to change or update personal information must appear at a NIRA district office with verified supporting documents.
The fee for replacing a lost ID is Shs50,000, while updating records or correcting errors costs Shs200,000.
With the nationwide enrollment now underway, NIRA urges all eligible Ugandans to apply early and avoid last-minute congestion.
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