By The Ministry of Internal Affairs has once again postponed the mass renewal of national identification cards, granting a one-year extension for expired IDs. The decision, announced by State Minister for Internal Affairs General David Muhoozi, aims to provide more time for incorporating enhanced security features and addressing operational challenges.
The renewal exercise, originally set for June to September 2024 and later pushed to October 2025, will now see the validity of current national IDs extended by an additional year. This move offers citizens more time before needing to renew their documents.
In a statement, General Muhoozi reassured the public that preparations for the mass renewal exercise are ongoing. “The necessary equipment to facilitate the process has already been secured, and staff training on its usage is underway,” he confirmed.
Minister Muhoozi noted that his team is working to implement technological upgrades aimed at strengthening the National Security Information System (NSIS). These enhancements will improve the security features of national ID cards ahead of the mass enrolment exercise.
During a plenary session, members of Parliament raised concerns about delays in the renewal process and the continued reliance on physical IDs.
Rukiga County MP Roland Bish Ndyomugyenyi proposed a shift to a fully digitalized ID renewal system, highlighting its potential to increase efficiency and reduce administrative burdens. Bugiri Municipality MP Asuman Basalirwa added that funding such programs through taxpayer contributions further complicates the process, suggesting the need for alternative approaches.
Responding to these concerns, General Muhoozi confirmed that the government is developing digital IDs to reduce costs for citizens and eliminate issues related to expired IDs. He further assured Parliament that the government is working to streamline the renewal process while advancing digitalization efforts.
The extension of the renewal deadline is expected to provide citizens with adequate time to complete the process. Meanwhile, the government is focused on implementing digital ID solutions and enhancing the security measures of future national IDs to meet evolving demands.
