FDC backs National ID registration

 

Party spokesperson, John Kikonyogo told journalist at the party’s weekly press briefing that FDC supports the exercise because it will give Ugandans a sense of belonging with an identity and also know the number of citizens in the country. 

 

Kikonyogo said, “We only pray that the exercise is not politicised. For example, we think the issue of registering children of 16 years, should be avoided until they clock 18 years by 2016 since it is a continuous process. We should also separate the national ID registration and voters’ registration,” he added.

 

FDC however, advised Government to be cautious when registering citizens saying there are many categories of people who may not be eligible.

 

“We only ask Government especially the committees that are handling the exercise, to be careful while registering people to avoid the wrong characters who mighty infiltrate the exercise," he noted.   

 

Kikonyogo also noted that there some areas where LCI chairpersons, relocated to other areas wondering who will handle the work of identifying the eligible citizens. 

 

“Many refugees run away from camps, while others enter the country illegally and settle in different areas. The issue of 10 years is not a problem but how to prove it, is likely to be a challenge,” he added.

 

Kikonyogo called on Ugandans in different areas to help officials handling the exercise to avoid such anomalies. 
 

Obedi Serunjonji, a business man along Nkurumah Road in Kampala, said the registration form does not cater for those without marriage certificates and those married to more than one woman like Muslims.

 

“The form has only one part for one wife with whom we have marriage certificates. What about us who have many wives without marriage certificates? Does it mean lawfully they are not our wives? Some men might deliberately disown their own children from women without marriage certificates,” he said.

 

Steven Ssemata, a music producer in Ndeeba said he was very enthusiastic about the exercise. Ssemata wants the ID to prove his citizenship as a true Ugandan.

 

Raymond Ssango, a laboratory technician, said the exercise will easily help police and other security agencies to get the wrong characters like terrorists who enter the country with sinister motives.