By Ben Musanje
Foreign nationals legally residing in Uganda will now be required to pay a $100 registration fee to obtain identification documents under a new national rollout announced by the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA), marking a significant expansion of the country’s identity management system alongside a sweeping nationwide campaign to issue millions of national identity cards.
The announcement was made Claire Ollama, the NIRA Registrar, on Monday during a press conference held at Police Headquarters Naguru, where she outlined new measures targeting both non-citizen registration and the acceleration of national ID issuance across the country.
Under the new framework, all eligible foreign nationals referred to as legally resident aliens under Ugandan law—will be required to register into the national identity system beginning 5 May 2026. The process will result in the issuance of an alien identification number and will apply to individuals holding valid immigration documentation issued by the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control.
Applicants will be required to present approved immigration status documents such as work permits, student passes, dependent passes, or permanent residence permits, all of which must have at least 90 days of validity at the time of application. A valid passport will also be mandatory for processing. NIRA confirmed that a $100 fee will be charged for the issuance of the alien identification document, as provided for under the Registration of Persons Act.
Ollama said the new system is intended to ensure that all foreign nationals residing in Uganda are properly captured within the national register, strengthening identity verification systems used for security, planning, and public service delivery. The rollout is also expected to streamline administrative processes that previously varied across different service points.
While the foreign registration policy took center stage, NIRA simultaneously announced a major nationwide road-show aimed at reducing the backlog and long queues associated with national ID issuance for Ugandan citizens. The exercise targets the issuance of approximately 10.3 million identity cards, alongside services such as registration updates, corrections, and resolution of biometric or data inconsistencies.
The mobile registration campaign will begin on 14 April 2026 in Wakiso District, one of the country’s most densely populated areas, with multiple service points activated across Nansana, Wakiso Town Council, Kasangati, Masulita, Namayumba, and surrounding divisions. Additional operations are scheduled to expand within Wakiso on 16 April, covering areas including Kira, Nabweru, and other high-demand localities.
From Wakiso, the exercise will move across the country in phases, reaching Arua, Buikwe, and Jinja on 15 April, followed by Nebbi and Iganga on 17 April. Subsequent stops include Masindi and Tororo on 19 April, Hoima and Mbale on 21 April, Kagadi and Soroti on 23 April, Fort Portal City and Katakwi on 25 April, and Kyegegwa and Lira on 27 April. The rollout will continue with Mubende and Moyo on 29 April, before concluding in Greater Gulu—including Gulu, Omoro, and Amuru—on 1 May and finally Kitgum on 3 May.
NIRA said the road-show is designed to complement, not replace, existing district offices, which have been overwhelmed by high demand, long queues, and delays in service delivery. Officials noted that the mobile approach is intended to bring services closer to citizens, especially in areas where access to district headquarters is difficult.
Claire Ollama, the NIRA Registrar, emphasized that the initiative is part of broader reforms to improve efficiency in identity management and ensure that citizens receive services in a more timely and accessible manner. She noted that the authority is working to address challenges related to backlog reduction while improving accuracy in the national identity database.
Beyond the road-show and foreign registration drive, NIRA also provided an update on its partner management system, which governs how external agencies access the national identity register. Officials said integration efforts are ongoing, though some partner institutions have been slow in complying with technical requirements. Testing continues to ensure compatibility with national standards and data protection regulations.
As implementation begins, NIRA has urged both citizens awaiting identity cards and foreign nationals eligible for registration to take advantage of the upcoming rollout phases, which the authority says represent a major step in modernising Uganda’s national identification system. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
