The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has announced new timelines for the renewal of national IDs and fresh registrations, following the cabinet’s approval of a Shs666.85 billion budget to support the exercise.
The funding will facilitate the enrollment of at least 17.2 million Ugandans and the renewal of 15.8 million ID cards, which are set to expire starting in August 2024. The budget covers the acquisition of necessary software, hardware, operating systems, and related technology. It will also be used to purchase blank ID cards, provide fuel, allowances for 13,000 registration assistants, and cover administrative costs.
NIRA has assured the public that even after expiration, national ID cards will remain valid for one more year for accessing government services and conducting financial transactions.
Key timeline details include:
- October 20 to November 15, 2024: Installation and configuration of new hardware at the NIRA data center.
- November 24, 2024: Arrival of 3,000 registration kits, representing 53.1% of the total 5,665 kits required.
- November 25, 2024: Upgrades to card printing and personalization equipment, increasing production capacity to 46,000 cards per machine daily. Staff training on equipment operations begins.
- December 5-15, 2024: Distribution of the first batch of 3,000 kits to 135 districts and 11 cities, with training for registration assistants.
- December 17, 2024: Arrival of 1,668 additional kits, allowing modules for new registrations, renewals, ID replacements, and changes of particulars to go live.
- December 26, 2024 to January 5, 2025: Distribution of the second batch of machines.
- January 12, 2025: Arrival of 997 kits, completing the final batch.
- January 19-29, 2025: Distribution of the final kits.
- January 20, 2025: Delivery and installation of two additional card printing machines, each capable of producing 80,500 cards per day.
These measures aim to ensure a smooth national ID renewal and registration process ahead of the 2024 expiration deadline.
