In a move to ensure a smooth transition into the mass renewal and enrollment of National Identification Cards (IDs), the Government of Uganda has announced the extension of ID validity by one year, effective August 2025.

This extension is part of the broader effort to enhance accessibility and ensure that every Ugandan citizen has proper legal identification.

While speaking on a local television channel on April 1, 2025, Angella Bukirwa, the Human Resource Manager at the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA), announced that the mass renewal and enrollment process for national identity cards will officially open to the public in mid-April 2025.

Bukirwa emphasized that this initiative seeks to improve accessibility while safeguarding every Ugandan’s right to legal identification.

’’Everyone deserves proper identification, and this initiative will ensure accessibility for all,’’ Bukirwa said.

The NIRA Human Resource Manager also shared that the mass renewal and enrollment exercise will begin in local parishes across Uganda for the first 10 months. After this period, services will continue at NIRA offices.

She also disclosed that NIRA has recruited over 10,000 trained registration assistants, all of whom are fully prepared to help streamline and accelerate the process at the various parishes.

“These personnel will be tasked with ensuring both efficiency and accuracy in the registration and enrollment process at all parishes,” Bukirwa noted.

She clarified that the exercise is free of charge for those renewing their national IDs or obtaining them for the first time.

However, certain services will incur charges as specified in the law and on the NIRA website. The services and associated fees are as follows: lost National ID: UGX 50,000,damaged National ID: UGX 200,000 and change or update of personal details: UGX 200,000. The payments must be made at the bank, and individuals requesting these services are required to present a receipt as proof of payment.

She further encouraged citizens to take advantage of this initiative within the designated period, emphasizing that national IDs are essential for accessing government services, conducting financial transactions, and participating in voting.

As the process progresses, public cooperation and awareness will be crucial to ensuring the success of this initiative.