NIRA to register learners, correct identity errors in December
Kimeza brought NIRA officials and representatives from different sectors together with members of the public to discuss challenges affecting access to identification and registration services.
The Kimeza live public engagement in session on the final day of the My Identity Expo and Symposium at Kololo ceremonial grounds. (Credit: Miriam Namutebi)
_________________ (Credit: Miriam Namutebi)
A nationwide exercise to register learners without National Identification Numbers (NINs) and correct errors in identity records will be conducted at the local council level in December, the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has announced. The announcement was made during the Kimeza, a live public engagement session held on the final day of the My Identity Expo and Symposium at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds in Kampala.
Kimeza brought NIRA officials and representatives from different sectors together with members of the public to discuss challenges affecting access to identification and registration services. Claire Ollama, NIRA’s public relations and communications officer, said the December exercise would focus mainly on registering school-going children who do not have NINs, while also allowing families to correct errors in existing identity records.
“We have received numerous concerns about children lacking National Identification Numbers (NINS). This is simply because their parents or guardians also lack them, while others did not understand the exact process to get them,” Ollama said.
(Credit: Miriam Namutebi)
(Credit: Miriam Namutebi)
(Credit: Miriam Namutebi)
She said the exercise would be conducted at local council level across the country, bringing registration services closer to communities and reducing the need for parents and guardians to travel long distances to NIRA offices. Ollama said families would also be able to seek corrections to inaccurate information on identity records, including names and dates. She encouraged parents and guardians to take advantage of the exercise to ensure their children are registered and have accurate identity information. Other NIRA services will also be available during the exercise, although registration of children will remain the priority.
Public concerns take centre stage
During Kimeza, members of the public raised concerns and sought clarification on how national identification connects them to other essential services. Blessed Twinomujuni of Equity Bank urged people not to use other individuals’ details to open bank accounts because they lack national identity cards. She encouraged members of the public to obtain their own identification documents, noting that the service is provided free of charge.
Hassan Musomi of MTN Uganda encouraged the public to embrace available digital services and technologies that can simplify everyday activities.
James Lutalo, an IT professional at the National Information Technology Authority-Uganda (NITA-U), explained the role of the Uganda Government Integrated Hub (UGHub), a national data integration platform managed by NITA-U. Lutalo said UGHub connects NIRA’s national identification registry with more than 150 government ministries, departments and agencies, as well as private-sector institutions such as banks and telecommunications companies. Through the integration, institutions can verify citizens’ identities against NIRA’s database in real time using infrastructure developed by NITA-U.
Taking services closer to people
The December exercise is expected to make it easier for families to access identification services while addressing gaps in the registration of children and errors in existing records. The My Identity Expo and Symposium 2026, organised by NIRA, started on September 29 and concludes on October 1 at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds. The expo was sponsored by MTN Uganda, Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), National Information Technology Authority-Uganda (NITA-U), Tahaluf and Bank of Uganda.
The symposium brought together stakeholders from the identification, banking, telecommunications, publishing and technology sectors to discuss NIRA’s services and the role of national identification in improving access to public and private-sector services