The Minister of State for Internal Affairs, Gen David Rwabakuba Muhoozi, has revealed that Ugandans living in the diaspora will be able to register online for new or renewed National IDs when mass enrollment for the exercise commences in June this year.
The government has commenced the processes leading to mass enrollment and renewal of National Identity Cards (IDs), with the recruitment of a workforce slated for this month.
“The new system provides for online pre-registration and registration at embassies. NIRA will carry out outreach exercises in selected countries with populations of Ugandans exceeding 10,000,” said Gen. Muhoozi.
To mitigate the chances of foreigners who flout the process and register for Ugandan IDs, Muhoozi said the relevant security officials, such as Government Security Officers (GISO) and Professional Intelligence Officers (PISO), will be deployed.
“The district citizenship verification committees are being put in place to scrutinise persons whose citizenship is in doubt. I call on the extra vigilance of the public because this is at times compromised,” he added.
On the concerns for people with disabilities, such as those without fingers, the minister said other biometrics, such as iris and face, will be captured to allow every eligible Ugandan to get an ID.
For Ugandans of Rwandan origin, Muhoozi said they are recognised as citizens of Uganda in the constitution and will be enrolled as per the guidelines of the constitution.
The minister warned against using IDs as collateral by money lenders, saying it is illegal and should be punished. He mentioned that the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) is in the process of securing and improving the verification of cards and letters by third parties who seek to determine the identity of persons, which will render the need for retaining IDs redundant.
