By The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has announced a major expansion of its ongoing mass registration and renewal exercise by rolling out school-based child registration across the country. The move is aimed at addressing low uptake among unregistered Ugandans particularly children despite a successful renewal response from adults.
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Speaking at the Uganda Media Centre, Claire Olama a registrar at NIRA revealed that since the exercise began on May 27, 2025, over 5.3 million Ugandans have renewed their National IDs, a milestone she described as a sign of rising civic responsibility. However, she noted that the target to register 17 million new individuals remains a “tall order” due to limited participation in first-time registrations.
“To secure the future of our children, land, and legacy, we must ensure every child is identified from infancy,” Olama said. “By registering children under their parents’ NIN, we close doors to land disputes, inheritance conflicts, and family wrangles.”
To boost child registration, NIRA will begin working with schools across Uganda from late July 2025, dedicating two days a week to child enrolment. Parents will be required to fill and sign forms, attach their national ID copies, and in the case of boarding school pupils, submit pre-registration links online, which schools will use to complete biometric capture.
“No teacher is allowed to fill out forms on behalf of parents,” Olama emphasized, citing previous errors and fraud during earlier exercises. “This time, identity and data integrity are our top priorities.”
NIRA also addressed rising concerns around misuse of identity, urging Ugandans to stop registering SIM cards and bank accounts on behalf of others, warning that such actions expose individuals to criminal liability and credit fraud.
“If you love your relatives or staff, help them register themselves instead of giving out your own national ID,” Olama said. “Your identity is your responsibility.”
In addition, NIRA announced the resumption of change of particulars services—such as name or gender changes—beginning July 21, 2025. Corrections caused by NIRA errors will be free, while voluntary changes will cost UGX 200,000, alongside a deed poll and statutory declaration.
On corruption concerns, Olama appealed for public cooperation in exposing fraud, urging Ugandans to send pictorial or video evidence via WhatsApp on 0766 501071 or email info@nira.go.ug. She assured the public that law enforcement was actively arresting and prosecuting fraudsters, including recent operations in Kasanda and Moroto.
She also reaffirmed that individuals should not re-register if they already have a National Identification Number (NIN), as NINs are lifetime records only deactivated upon death. Feedback about learner NINs can be accessed via the NIRA website (www.nira.go.ug), the USSD code *216#, or the toll-free number 0800-211-700.
NIRA is working with district enrolment committees including the RDC, DISO, and DPC to oversee smooth implementation, in line with the latest Presidential Executive Order reinforcing citizenship verification mechanisms.
“Let us register every Ugandan. Let every household be whole. Let every child be known. For God and my country,” she concluded.
