15 NIRA staff arrested over national ID registration scandals—minister Muhoozi

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At least 15 staff members, both permanent and temporary, attached to the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA), have been arrested for allegedly extorting money from citizens seeking national identity cards.

Gen. David Muhoozi, the State Minister for Internal Affairs, told Parliament on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, that some of those arrested include NIRA's information technology officers. Muhoozi was responding to growing concerns about corruption during the ongoing mass renewal and registration exercise for national identity cards.

“The suspects were arrested from various districts, including Kyotera, Busia, Alebtong, Kasese, Mityana, Wakiso, Mukono, and Mubende,” Muhoozi said. “Many of them are currently out on police bond as investigations continue, but prosecutions are being delayed due to the lack of cooperating witnesses.”

Muhoozi revealed that some of the culprits were illegally selling registration forms, which are meant to be free, and charging money to fast-track applications. He urged the public to report such malpractices through NIRA’s official email (info@nira.go.ug) or toll-free hotline (0800 211 700).

“To combat impersonation, NIRA has issued official uniforms to its staff for easier identification,” he said. “We have seen brokers and middlemen masquerading as NIRA officials and soliciting bribes, particularly from people who cannot read or write.”

The mass registration exercise, which began on May 27, 2025, has so far received over 9.1 million applications. According to Muhoozi, these include: 8,254,778 applications for card renewal, 834,020 new applicants for first-time registration, and 33,160 children who have reached the eligible age for ID issuance.

He added that production of the national identity cards is ongoing and assured the public that delays are being addressed.

“Unfortunately, we continue to receive reports of extortion, including cases where citizens are forced to pay to skip queues or access free services. In some cases, staff involved in such practices have been suspended or terminated,” Muhoozi said.

He reminded Parliament that national identity numbers are permanent and do not expire; only the physical cards need renewal after 10 years due to biometric changes and evolving technology.

However, MPs raised concerns about the inefficiency of the process. Christine Apolot (Kumi, NRM) noted that many applicants from previous years have yet to receive their IDs. Karim Masaba (Industrial Division, Mbale, Independent) cited recurring data entry errors, while Charles Bakkabulindi (Workers Representative) criticised the long waiting periods for both renewals and new cards.

Muhoozi warned against the illegal practice of withholding other people’s national IDs as collateral, emphasising that identity cards remain the property of the cardholders.