The government, through the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), in a move to enhance the safety and accountability of communication services and security, has made it mandatory for all SIM card users to register their cards using their national ID cards.
This requirement follows previous challenges with SIM card registration, where telecom operators used various identification documents such as passports, village IDs, and employment IDs to register users.
In a statement released on their X handle on May 6, UCC revealed this method was unreliable, as there was no central system to validate these documents, leading to multiple identities and an unreliable database. They said the introduction of the National ID System in 2015 provided a solution to this problem.
“The 2015 Registration of Persons Act made it mandatory for all Ugandans to register and obtain national ID cards, each with a unique National Identification Number (NIN). The 2015 Registration of Persons Regulations then specified that the National ID would be the mandatory document for Ugandans to register for SIM cards,” the statement read.
UCC added that this process was further reinforced by the 2018 exercise, which required all SIM card users to undergo biometric verification using their national IDs.
“The recent 2023 Regulation of Interception of Communications Regulations (Regulation 18) included a transitional provision for the regularization of all existing SIM cards with updated details in accordance with the new Regulations,” UCC added.
They further clarified that the use of the National ID as the primary document for SIM card registration provides a reliable and verifiable method to ensure that every SIM card user can be uniquely identified, thereby enhancing security and accountability.
Additionally, UCC said individuals who have lost their national ID can still register or replace their SIM cards by visiting the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) to obtain a confirmation letter containing their registration details and NIN, which they can then present to their telecom service provider.
This new requirement aims to create a more secure and accountable communication ecosystem in Uganda, ensuring that each SIM card user can be properly identified and held responsible for their actions.
