The Executive Director of National Identification Regulatory Authority (NIRA)Rosemary Kisembo, has asked students to participate in the forth coming mass identity card enrollment exercise scheduled for 27th May.
Officiating at the two-day inter-school debate competition at Kitante Hill School in Kampala, emphasizing the urgent need for youth participation in the national ID registration drive. “With 18.2 million Ugandans, most of them under the age of 17, still unregistered, this is a call for the youths to be visible, vocal, and valid. A National Identification Number (NIN) is a gateway to education, healthcare, employment, and full participation in our nation’s growth. We urge every young person, parent, and guardian to take this exercise seriously as we prepare for this historic enrollment,” she said.
The debate brought together over 20 secondary schools from across the country, including Nyakasura School, Bweranyangi Girls, Muni Girls Secondary School, St. Henry’s College Kitovu, Sebei College Tegeres, and Mbale Secondary School, fostering spirited discussions on the critical importance of national identification in Uganda’s development.
Internal Affairs State Minister Gen. David Muhoozi echoed these sentiments, reaffirming the government’s commitment to ensuring registration across the board.
“The energy and insight displayed by these young debaters prove that Uganda’s youth are not just future leaders—they are active change-makers today. As NIRA prepares to register 17.2 million new applicants and renew 15.8 million expired IDs, we are counting on students to be ambassadors of this initiative in their homes and communities. This mass enrollment is a cornerstone of our national planning, ensuring that no Ugandan is left behind in accessing critical services and opportunities,” he stated.
The debate also shed light on a pressing issue: despite Uganda’s growing population, only 5.2 million children between the ages of 0 and 17 are currently registered with NIRA, meaning nearly 70% lack legal identification. To address this gap,
He said NIRA has procured 5,665 state-of-the-art biometric registration kits, delivered in January 2025, along with two high-capacity card printing machines capable of producing 100,000 laser-engraved IDs daily. These resources will be deployed nationwide to facilitate a smooth and efficient registration process.
Muhoozi encouraged all citizens, particularly parents and guardians, to ensure their children are registered. The authority also calls on community leaders, schools, and local government officials to support awareness campaigns, emphasizing that a National ID is not just a legal requirement but a fundamental right that unlocks opportunities for every Ugandan.