President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has issued a firm national call to action, urging all Ugandans to actively participate in the ongoing mass registration and renewal of National Identity Cards (IDs), warning that failure to do so could compromise both electoral integrity and national security.
In his State of the Nation Address delivered at the Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, the President underscored the urgency of the exercise being conducted by the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA). He described the ID replacement initiative as “central to preventing electoral fraud” and crucial in maintaining credible voter rolls ahead of the 2026 general elections.
“This important exercise is not just about replacing expired national identity cards; it’s about ensuring no one votes twice and no ghost voters exist in the system,” President Museveni stated. “IDs will be used as the primary tool to identify voters and weed out fraudulent activity.”
The registration drive, which began earlier this year, is one of the largest and most logistically complex government undertakings in Uganda’s post-conflict era. Authorities say it aims to capture biometric and demographic data from millions of citizens, including those who are:
- Replacing expired IDs,
- Turning 16 years old (the minimum registration age), or
- Registering for the first time due to past exclusion.
The scale of the effort—and its direct connection to the upcoming elections—has drawn attention from civil society groups and watchdogs who are closely monitoring transparency and efficiency.
While framed as a civic duty, the exercise has also raised eyebrows over the government’s linkage of ID possession with access to fundamental public services. The new upgraded ID will be mandatory not only for voting but also for:
- Health care access,
- Education enrollment,
- Opening bank accounts,
- Employment,
- Social welfare benefits.
“This goes beyond voting,” said a NIRA official who spoke to The Daily Nile on condition of anonymity. “If you don’t have this ID, your access to basic services will be significantly curtailed.”
In a rare move aimed at encouraging public confidence in the process, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja participated in the exercise in her home district of Kakumiro, joining thousands of Ugandans at local registration centers. Her action was widely shared on social media.
“This renewal is essential for accurate national records, secure identification, and full participation in the upcoming elections,” Nabbanja posted.
Her public involvement is seen as an effort by the government to demonstrate equal participation and remove the perception of elitism in national processes—especially as previous ID registration rounds were marred by long queues, technical glitches, and complaints of disenfranchisement.
Government sources and digital security analysts warn that biometric deterioration, particularly fingerprint fading among older Ugandans and manual laborers, presents a growing authentication challenge. This has compelled NIRA to re-capture biometric data for existing holders to ensure the new IDs are functional within electronic voting systems and e-government services.
“Some people registered in 2014 or 2015 are now experiencing rejections in biometric systems due to age-related changes. This is not negligence; it’s a technological reality,” said a senior NIRA technician.
NIRA has also confirmed plans to roll out mobile registration units across remote districts in an effort to reach under-served populations—an approach hailed by rural leaders, though implementation remains patchy.
While the government touts the ID initiative as a safeguard for democratic participation, critics argue it risks becoming a surveillance tool in the absence of clear data privacy protections. Uganda does not currently have comprehensive data protection laws aligned with international standards, raising concerns about potential misuse of sensitive citizen information.
A coalition of civil society organisations has petitioned Parliament to introduce independent oversight of NIRA, citing fears of “election engineering” through biometric manipulation or selective registration in opposition strongholds.
