Tahaluf to showcase AI border control systems at NIRA Expo

_______________

Tahaluf, the technology partner of the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA), will showcase its advanced Artificial Intelligence border control and identification systems at the upcoming NIRA Expo and Symposium scheduled for September 29 to October 1, 2026, at Kololo Independence Grounds.

The company, which recently partnered with NIRA as its internet service provider and biometric solutions partner, is set to be one of the headline exhibitors at the three-day expo that will bring together government agencies, security organs, tech firms, and regional immigration experts to demonstrate Uganda's transition to a smart identification and border management ecosystem.

According to the project coordinator, Exavier Lukela, Tahaluf will display its AI-powered smart gate systems, iris recognition technology, and integrated data synchronisation platform that seeks to tighten border control while making travel seamless for legitimate travellers.

“Our AI system displays will feature at the NIRA Expo. We want Ugandans and the region to see how AI can be used to secure borders, verify identities in seconds, and curb cross-border crime,” Lukela said Monday during a pre-NIRA expo engagement at Kololo Independence Grounds in Kampala.

Tahaluf Al Emarat Technical Solutions project coordinator, Exavier Lukela, addressing the press at Kololo in an endorsement interview for the NIRA Expo & Symposium on September 29 to October 1, 2026. (Photo by Isaac Nuwagaba)

The declaration comes just weeks after Tahaluf pledged to donate three AI smart gates to Entebbe International Airport as part of its endorsement of the NIRA Expo and its broader support for Uganda's border security modernisation.

What Tahaluf will showcase

Lukela said the company's pavilion at Kololo will have live demonstrations of four key systems, namely: 

AI smart gate system that uses facial and iris biometrics to verify travellers at airports and land borders automatically.

Centralised data synchronisation and scrutiny platform. This integrates NIRA data, immigration data, and company data under strict legal frameworks to flag persons using multiple identities or falsified documents.

e-KYC (electronic Know Your Customer) and e-verification system  which is favoured by : o banks, telecoms and government services that use the national ID to enable instant verification.

Criminal detection system that integrates with international security protocols, including INTERPOL and regional watchlists, to identify persons wanted for drug trafficking, human trafficking, terrorism financing and other transnational crimes.

“Visitors will be able to walk through a demo gate, look into an iris scanner, and see how the system matches their identity with NIRA and immigration records in under five seconds.  We will have a full mock airport border point at Kololo. People will see how a traveler is cleared by AI before leaving or entering Uganda. The system can trace a traveler's records using iris, even if they change their passport or name,” Lukela stated.

‘Uganda’s transition to a new generation’

NIRA Manager Compliance and Enforcement, John Toa Bahemuka, said the Expo will highlight Uganda's transition to a new generation of national IDs with enhanced security features and integration with immigration and border control systems.

“The Expo is not just about issuing cards. It is about how identification can enable security, service delivery and economic inclusion. Partners like Tahaluf are coming in to support us to tighten our borders while making travel easier for legitimate travellers,” Bahemuka said.

Bahemuka said Entebbe International Airport handles over 2 million passengers annually and remains the country's main entry and exit point, making it a critical area for deployment of advanced biometric screening.

 National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has consistently emphasised the strict statutory requirements of the Registration of Persons Act regarding non-citizens.

“Under Section 5 of the Act, NIRA is legally mandated to maintain a two-part National Identification Register: Part One for Ugandan citizens and Part Two for “aliens” (legally resident non-citizens).

 For registration of foreigners, Bahemuka emphasised several critical statutory and compliance directives at the expo, emphasising mandatory allocation of Alien Identification Numbers (AIN) to all foreigners to tighten security.

“By law, registration is a compulsory duty for all non-citizens lawfully residing in Uganda. Upon completing the registration process, successful foreign applicants are officially allocated an Alien Identification Number (AIN), also referred to as a Unique Identification Number (UIN) and are issued an Alien Identification Card.

Bahemuka maintains a clear legal boundary regarding national documentation.

“National ID cards and National Identification Numbers (NINs) are strictly reserved for Ugandan citizens. Legal non-citizens receive the Alien ID Card. This strict enforcement is part of a broader crackdown by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and NIRA to prevent foreign nationals from fraudulently obtaining Ugandan citizen IDs, which complicates border security and national processing,” he observed.

To qualify for an AIN, a foreigner must possess valid immigration documentation issued by the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control (such as a work permit, student pass, certificate of residence, or dependent pass).