According to the latest information, Cabinet in Uganda has agreed to scrap off all the current national IDs.
This therefore means that all Ugandans will apply for new enhanced national IDs that meet the current technology trends.
The Minister of State for Internal Affairs Gen David Muhoozi had earlier revealed how the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) will undertake a mass enrollment and renewal exercise for the national IDs starting in 2023.
The enrollment exercise will begin in January 2023 while renewals will begin between August 2023- August 2025.
The exercise will be targeting 17.2 millions who have never registered for national IDs plus over 20 million Ugandans set to renew their national IDs.
“Renewal will happen at each parish in a rotational manner with NIRA deploying 10 registration kits per parish per day. The exercise will happen over a 12-month period beginning August 2023. After this period, these services will be operationalised and delivered at district level,” Muhoozi said.
The Minister also further revealed that this cost will be free of charge and will be shouldered by the government. It will only be the ones needing express national IDs that will be charged.
The Deputy speaker Thomas Tayebwa also warned the Minister to avoid making the exercise one for generating revenue.
This is because the IDs have become a symbol of social status. Muhoozi earlier said whereas the exercise will be used as a potential avenue to generate revenue, the full cost of the acquisition of a new National ID will be borne by government except for citizens who seek an express service.
Kimaanya-Kabonera Division Mp Abed Bwanika expressed his disappointment in government’s move to do a DNA profile on all those applying for these national IDS.
“DNA profiling is done on criminals. So why do you want to keep DNA data of the entire population which is against our right to privacy. The Minister needs to clarify on this,” he said.
He was not the only one with a mixed reaction toward DNA profiling of people applying for national IDS. Other MPs such as Hon Naboth Namanya weren’t pleased with this move.
