Over 7 million subscribers update SIM card details

Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has said over 7 million subscribers have updated their SIM card details using their national identification cards as per last week's directive.

People registering for national identifications cards at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds on Tuesday. Photo by Hajarah Nalwadda

Isaac Kalembe, the UCC spokesperson said there has been a positive response towards the directive although he said more effort is needed to avoid disconnection.

"By over seven million subscribers had updated their SIM cards (by Saturday) since the seven day UCC ultimatum," Kalembe stated.

National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) public relations assistant Micheal Muganga also told New Vision that the number of collected identification cards has increased from 20 per day to over hundred in different centres countrywide.

"In a day, about 10-20 cards would be collected by owners, but the number of cards collected per day has shot to 100s," Muganga stated. 

People queue for registration of SIM cards at MTN offices on Mukono House in Mukono. Photo by Drake Ssentongo

He also revealed that registration of children which starts in May targets 10-12 million children.

"The registered children will get national identification numbers. Those that will have clocked 16 years of age will get national identification cards" Muganga added.

On Monday, New Vision observed long queues of people at NIRA headquarters at Kololo Independence Grouds with some registering for national identification cards while others collected them.

"I thought I would get my national ID from here (Kololo) but I have been told to go my home place in Wakiso yet I have a busy schedule," said Juliet Nakalema.

Nakalema also said she doesn't want to get switched off because she uses mobile money for most of her transactions.