By The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has urged Ugandans to take personal responsibility in protecting their data, warning that the increasing number of fraudulent online platforms poses a growing threat to citizens’ privacy and security.
Addressing journalists at Police Headquarters, Claire Ollama, a NIRA official, said the authority continues to receive reports from individuals who have lost money and sensitive information to fake websites claiming to offer national ID and registration services.
“Government can create laws and structures to protect you,” Ollama said, “but if you do not make the right choice, you will still be robbed. This address is to empower you to open your eyes and to guide you appropriately.”
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She noted that fraudsters have cloned NIRA’s online identity, creating fake accounts and websites most notably “UG Finder” that promise “express” ID services in exchange for money. Victims have reportedly paid large sums only to lose both their money and personal data.
Ollama warned that many of these sites continue to operate because some users rely on VPNs, which allow access to blocked content even after the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) initiates action.
NIRA emphasized that all its services are provided through official government systems. “When you make payments for any NIRA service, do it only through the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) portal on our official website,” Ollama said, adding that no express ID services are currently active during the ongoing national enrolment and renewal project.
She urged citizens to use only NIRA’s verified platforms.
Ollama also demonstrated how to identify the official website, showing that all registration forms for national IDs, births, and deaths are available free of charge for download.
“Every time you use a quack or shortcut, you hand over your data to a person you cannot control,” she cautioned. “Protecting your identity begins with making informed digital choices.”
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