Ugandans in UAE seize chance for mass ID renewal

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The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has launched its mass enrolment and renewal exercise for Ugandans in the United Arab Emirates, attracting an enthusiastic response from the diaspora community.

The programme, which began on August 17, 2025, at the Ugandan Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate in Dubai, followed staff training conducted by a NIRA delegation led by commissioner Vincent Katutsi and project champion Claire Ollama.

According to Ollama, demand for the service has been overwhelming, with hundreds of Ugandans turning up at both centres since day one.

A Ugandan in the United Arab Emirates in the process of renewing his national ID. (Courtesy photo)

“The turnout has been far beyond expectations. Many Ugandans have been waiting for this opportunity, and we are doing everything possible to ensure that no one is left behind,” she said.

To manage the high numbers, NIRA extended its working hours late into the night, taking advantage of the UAE’s flexible night economy. Ollama noted that this adjustment helped reduce long queues.

“We decided to work beyond normal hours so that everyone who shows up is served. The response has been very positive,” she added.

The exercise initially faced a challenge when some registration kits were delayed at the airport, creating a temporary shortage of machines. To address this, the Embassy sourced additional equipment from Doha.

NIRA’s executive director, Rosemary Kisembo, also confirmed that reinforcements from Kampala are expected to join the UAE team in the coming days.

Kisembo stressed that the long-term sustainability of the programme lies in empowering embassy staff.

“The intention is not just a one-off exercise. Our goal is to equip embassy teams with the capacity to continue delivering these services,” she said.

Uganda’s Ambassador to the UAE, Zaake Kibedi, has also supported the exercise, working alongside immigration officers and embassy staff to ensure smooth operations.

Meanwhile, attempts by unscrupulous middlemen to charge Ugandans for faster access to services were quickly contained after security was alerted.

The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has launched its mass enrolment and renewal exercise for Ugandans in the United Arab Emirates. (Courtesy photo)

Commissioner Katutsi praised the resilience of the community and the support from stakeholders.

“The turnout has been overwhelming, but our team is pushing through. We are grateful for the collaboration of the Embassy, the Consulate, and all stakeholders who have made this possible,” he said.

The UAE enrolment drive is part of NIRA’s wider initiative to extend national identification services to Ugandans abroad, ensuring that all citizens can access a National Identification Number (NIN) and renew their national ID cards.