The Ministry of Internal Affairs has announced another postponement of the mass renewal exercise for national identification cards, granting a one-year extension for expired IDs.
The government cited the need for additional time to integrate advanced security features and address logistical challenges.
The renewal exercise, initially planned for June to September 2024, was already pushed to October 2025. Now, citizens will have until late 2026 before the renewal process becomes mandatory.
State Minister for Internal Affairs, General David Muhoozi, reassured the public that preparations for the renewal exercise remain on track despite the delay.
“The necessary equipment has been procured, and staff training on its use is ongoing,” he stated.
Minister Muhoozi said that the government’s focus on technological enhancements to the National Security Information System (NSIS), which will underpin the next generation of IDs. These updates aim to improve the security and functionality of national identification cards.
During plenary session on Tuesday, Members of Parliament voiced concerns over the slow pace of the renewal process and the continued reliance on physical IDs.
Responding to these concerns, Minister Muhoozi revealed that plans for digital IDs are already underway. He noted that the shift to digital identification would not only alleviate financial strain on citizens but also address issues related to expired IDs and outdated systems.
