TOP STORY: NIRA Prints 100,000 New National IDs as Mass Renewal Exercise Gains Momentum
Kampala, Uganda – Monday, August 11, 2025
The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has printed 100,000 National Identity Cards in the first phase of the ongoing mass ID renewal exercise and is set to begin distribution to the public.
![Image: Sample of Uganda National ID – File Photo]
Caption: A sample of the upgraded National ID with enhanced security features.
Speaking at a press briefing at the Uganda Media Centre, Claire Ollama, a NIRA registrar, confirmed the milestone and emphasized the growing momentum of the nationwide registration drive.
“In just two months, we’ve registered 9.1 million Ugandans — eight million for renewals, 800,000 first-time applicants, and others updating their records or applying for physical cards for the first time,” Ollama said.
The mass registration effort is in response to the impending expiry of approximately 15.8 million National IDs by August 2025. NIRA says the renewed cards will feature advanced security upgrades to support faster and more secure identification.
![Image: Claire Ollama addressing the press at Uganda Media Centre – Photo/NIRA]
Caption: NIRA Registrar Claire Ollama during Monday’s media briefing.
NIRA Executive Director Rosemary Kisembo previously disclosed that, according to last year’s national census, only 27.4 million Ugandans are currently registered out of the total population of 45.9 million.
“The goal is not just to renew expired IDs but to bring more Ugandans into the national registry and upgrade the integrity of our identification system,” Kisembo stated.
The upgraded IDs are expected to enhance digital access to government services, electoral processes, financial systems, and border control.
What to Know:
- Distribution of the first 100,000 printed IDs will begin soon.
- Mass registration continues across districts.
- Ugandans are urged to register early to avoid last-minute delays.
Stay with us for updates on ID collection points and district-by-district distribution schedules.
