EAC queries Uganda’s ID project

Dec 11, 2008

THE Government has been advised to abandon the technology being used in the national ID project.<br>The East African Community (EAC) secretariat said the technology was unsuitable because of its different application.

By Henry Mukasa and Catherine Bekunda

THE Government has been advised to abandon the technology being used in the national ID project.
The East African Community (EAC) secretariat said the technology was unsuitable because of its different application.

Uganda is using the Barcode technology to make national Identity Cards.

“The experts advised Uganda to use the smart card technology which Tanzania has opted for,” said Monique Mukaruliza, the chairperson of the EAC council of ministers.

She however, lauded Uganda for establishing a permanent committee for the project.

Internal Affairs minister, Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, said in October that Ugandans will have the IDs by 2010.

The National Identification Project is expected to cost $56m (about sh95b), according to its coordinator, Irene Kawuma.

Mukaruliza was answering a question from Lydia Wanyoto (Uganda) of how far partner states had gone with the registration of nationals during the East African Legislative Assembly meeting at Parliament on Wednesday.

Wanyoto observed that proper identification of citizens through issuance of IDs was crucial for the operationalisation of the Common Market Protocol but partner states; Uganda and Tanzania have not adopted the procedure.

Kenya, Rwanda and Burundi citizens already have national IDs.
During a meeting with experts, the minister said, Uganda and Tanzania asked for more time.

Asked by MPs why the quality and similarity of the IDs is not dictated by the EAC, Mukaruliza said the issuance of identification to citizens was still a sovereign matter.

The minister disclosed that the EAC passport would also be marketed to become an internationally acceptable travel document.

Uganda’s national ID project earlier awarded to Face Technologies at $92m (about sh155b), was halted by the Inspector General of Government because the procurement process had been flawed.

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