The government has announced a one-year extension for approximately 15.8 million National Identification Cards (IDs) set to expire between August 2024 and December 2025.
This decision aims to ensure the continuity of business operations and alleviate public anxiety regarding the upcoming enrollment and renewal process for new National IDs.
David Muhoozi, the Minister of State for Internal Affairs, made the announcement during a session with Parliament’s Defence and Internal Affairs Committee. He stated, “Because we need time in between to ensure that business continues and people aren’t disrupted, we have done so by extending the validity of IDs by one year to prevent public upset.”
The extension is part of the government’s efforts to minimize disruptions for citizens as the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) prepares for a mass enrollment and renewal of new National IDs. Muhoozi emphasized the importance of this measure in alleviating public concerns about ID expiration and the renewal process.
To formalize this extension, a Statutory Instrument Amendment No.2, Regulations 2024 was published in the gazette on August 12, 2024. This amendment addresses growing public anxiety regarding the timeline for issuing new IDs.
During the meeting, Muhoozi reported that there are currently 17.2 million unregistered citizens in Uganda. He noted that 3.7 million IDs are set to expire by January 2025, while the 15.8 million IDs in question will now remain valid for an additional year.
“Because we need time in between to ensure that business continues and people aren’t disrupted, that anxiety you alluded to and we have done so by extension of one year, so that we ensure that people don’t get upset by what they do,” said Muhoozi.
The Minister also highlighted that NIRA is required to deliver data to the Electoral Commission by November 30, 2024, to be used for the national voters’ register ahead of the 2026 general elections. However, the mass enrollment exercise scheduled for June 2024 faced delays due to necessary due diligence on the company responsible for delivering the national security system for the exercise, with the contract finally signed on July 8.
Joel Ssebikaali, the representative for Ntwetwe County, raised concerns about whether Ugandans with expired IDs would still be able to enter East African nations, which currently accept valid National IDs for entry.
The extension of National ID validity is a significant step by the Ugandan government to address public concerns and ensure un interrupted business operations.