By The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has rolled out a national identification enrolment and renewal exercise for Ugandan citizens and Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) personnel deployed in Somalia.
The exercise, which began on October 20, 2025, is part of NIRA’s wider national campaign to renew expired National Identification Cards and register new applicants under the Registration of Persons Act (ROPA) 2015. The Act mandates NIRA to register all citizens and issue national identity cards.
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Among the first to participate was AUSSOM Force Commander Lt Gen Sam Kavuma, who urged all Ugandans serving in Somalia to take advantage of the exercise.
“I encourage every Ugandan here to come forward and renew their National ID. It is a vital document that connects you to your country,” he said.
Brig Gen Joseph Musoke Ssemwanga, the Commander of Sector One in Somalia, hailed NIRA and the UPDF leadership for extending the registration exercise to troops in mission areas. He encouraged soldiers to renew their IDs promptly to continue accessing key services tied to the identification system, including verification of voting eligibility for those expected to return home during the election period.
Col Richard Kukundakwe, the team leader, said the ongoing national mass registration and renewal campaign—launched earlier this year targets over 15.8 million Ugandans whose IDs have expired, and about 15 million children set for first-time registration.
He noted that the exercise plays a key role in national planning, security, and service delivery, and reaffirmed that Special Interest Groups (SIGs), including members of the UPDF, are equally entitled to registration and renewal services.
Col Kukundakwe added that for Ugandans stationed outside the country, particularly those serving in peacekeeping missions, NIRA is conducting the process through a secure, targeted outreach approach to ensure inclusivity.
The twelve-day exercise is expected to cover over 10,000 Ugandan citizens, both military and civilian, currently based in Somalia.
