A local official with the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has been arrested in Rubanda District for allegedly soliciting a bribe during Uganda’s ongoing mass national ID enrollment and renewal exercise, raising serious concerns over the integrity of a critical public service.
The suspect, Amos James Owakubariho, was apprehended on August 1, 2025, after he allegedly demanded UGX 50,000 from Boniface Tibemanya, a resident of Nyarurambi Ward, in exchange for renewing his national ID.
According to Rubanda Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Eric Ssewandigi, the victim had submitted all required documents along with a formal recommendation but was still asked to pay a bribe to complete the process.
“The complainant came to my office on Thursday July 31 2025 and reported that he had been asked to pay UGX 50,000 to have his ID renewed, despite meeting all the requirements,” Ssewandigi said.
“The official even provided a mobile number to receive the payment.”
To catch the suspect red-handed, the RDC coordinated an operation with the police the next day. The victim was given marked money, and officers moved in immediately after the transaction was completed.
Owakubariho was arrested and is currently detained at Rubanda Central Police Station, awaiting a court appearance. He is expected to face corruption-related charges.
Ssewandigi condemned the abuse of a vital government program, emphasizing that national ID services are free of charge and fully funded by the government.
“All NIRA officers are paid to serve the public. Any attempt to extort money from citizens will not be tolerated. Such actions erode public trust and jeopardize the integrity of the entire registration process,” he said.
The incident comes amid rising concerns over unethical conduct by some NIRA officials across the country. In Hamuhambo Town Council, also in Rubanda District, similar reports have surfaced, with officials allegedly demanding between UGX 10,000 and UGX 50,000 from ID applicants.
While some suspects returned the money after being warned, authorities now warn that prosecution is inevitable for repeat offenders.
“Citizens must understand that this is their right, not a privilege to be bought. We are closely monitoring and will not hesitate to bring wrongdoers to justice,” Ssewandigi added.
Brig. Gen. Stephen Kwiringira, Executive Director of NIRA, recently warned that bribery and extortion threaten the credibility of Uganda’s national identification efforts.
“Such behavior undermines public trust and compromises the integrity of our national registration systems,” Brig. Gen. Kwiringira said.
Uganda’s mass enrollment and ID renewal campaign targets 17.2 million new applicants and seeks to update over 15.8 million expiring national IDs. Possessing a valid national ID is essential for accessing government services, voting in elections, and cross-border travel within the East African Community.
As the campaign continues, officials are urging the public to report any instances of corruption or misconduct to local leaders, RDC offices, or law enforcement.
