The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has registered over 9.1 million Ugandans in just two months, including 800,000 children newly receiving unique identification numbers (NINs).
Speaking from Police headquarters in Naguru, Registrar Claire Olama urged Ugandans to avoid corruption during the ongoing mass registration and renewal exercise. She warned against paying bribes for forms or “fast-tracking” applications, stressing that all forms are freely available online at NIRA’s website.
“Do not pay anyone to skip queues or speed up your application, the system processes applications fairly and automatically,” Olama said. She also encouraged parents to register their children, calling a NIN “the gift that keeps on giving” from birth through all stages of life.
Olama confirmed that 9.1 million applications have been received, with 8 million renewals and 800,000 first-time child registrations. She said production and issuance of cards are underway, urging patience as NIRA rolls out an orderly issuance process to avoid overcrowding.
In a move to improve feedback, Olama noted NIRA’s commitment to dispatch cards and enhance communication with applicants. She also highlighted upcoming celebrations of Africa’s Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) Day, focusing on child registration.
NIRA’s outreach continues internationally, with teams registering Ugandans in diaspora communities across the UAE, Australia, the UK, and the US.
