The Ugandan government has initiated a pilot phase for the National ID renewal exercise, commencing on May 2 and running through May 26, 2025.
While speaking to the media, state minister for internal affairs Gen.David Muhoozi said, “this preliminary phase involves the Board of Directors of the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) and top officials from the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The nationwide registration is slated to begin on May 27, 2025.”
“In a move to streamline the process and reduce financial burdens, the government has waived the Shs50,000 fee previously charged for ID renewals,” he revealed.
However, individuals seeking to change or correct personal information on their IDs will be required to pay Shs300,000, a significant increase from the earlier fee of Shs50,000. This adjustment aims to deter frivolous alterations of personal data.
For those replacing lost or damaged IDs, the fee remains at Shs50,000, provided the applicant presents a police report.
Additionally, NIRA plans to introduce an express service for ID processing at a cost of Shs300,000.
The upcoming mass registration will see the deployment of 13,000 personnel across 10,717 parishes nationwide.
The government has allocated Shs666.85 billion to facilitate this exercise, covering expenses such as procurement of equipment, training of staff, and operational costs.
To enhance the accuracy and security of the identification process, the new IDs will incorporate advanced iris recognition technology, replacing the traditional fingerprint system. This biometric upgrade is expected to bolster the integrity of the national identification system.
The renewal exercise is particularly crucial as approximately 15.8 million Ugandans’ IDs are set to expire between August 2024 and December 2025.
This initiative is also pivotal in updating the national voters’ register ahead of the 2026 general elections, ensuring that all eligible citizens are accurately documented
.