National identity card a worthy business investment

Jul 04, 2014

Ugandan traders based in Southern Sudan have been urged to set aside time during their trips back home and register for their national identity cards.

By Vision Reporter

Ugandan traders based in Southern Sudan have been urged to set aside time during their trips back home and register for their national identity cards.

This call was made by the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Internal Affairs, Benny Namugwanya, during a consultative meeting with members of the Ugandan business community held Juba, on June 29, 2014.

The team of Parliamentarians included the Committee Vice Chairperson, Dr. Eriaku Emmanuel, and Muwuma Milton Kalulu, a member of the Committee.

true

MPs meeting the business community in Juba

Namugwanya observed that while it might seem expensive to travel to Uganda to register, the National Identity Card should be considered as an investment due to its numerous benefits.

The benefits include easing access to bank loans, supporting claims with insurance companies, quickening the process of evacuation during emergencies, and identification during elections.

Although the Ministry of Internal Affairs has shortened the processing time for Ugandan passports, and successful applicants can receive a passport in two days, most of the Ugandan traders use travel permits to move in South Sudan.

Their businesses are often interrupted by the requirement to have these permits renewed on a monthly basis.

Namugwanya explained that the National Identity Card is already acceptable as a travel document in the East African Community member states, which South Sudan has also applied to join.

The Chairperson of the Ugandan Traders in South Sudan, Mutebi Iddi, confirmed to the Committee that many Ugandan traders lack passports, but those who have enjoy quick services.

Eriaku observed that Ugandans are missing out on business opportunities due to lack of credible identification, while their Kenyan counterparts are able to access loans from banks in South Sudan because they have National Identity cards.

According to the Uganda Defence Attaché to South Sudan, Col Bernard Obola, about half a million Ugandans are spread all over South Sudan.

The UPDF Commander in Juba, Lt Col. Paul Muhanguzi, told the traders that National Identity Card would help in identification of Ugandans, in case of emergencies, as it was during evacuations in December 2013.

The traders had earlier requested for a registration kit to be placed in Juba and Jonglei State, but Namugwanya said this would not be possible because of set procedures, diplomatic implications, and difficulties to verify Ugandan citizenship.

The nationwide registration of Ugandan citizens for the National Identity Cards at parish level will close on August 11, 2014.

Also related to this story

National ID registration compulsory – Govt

Sh285b to be spent on national ID registration

UPDF takes over national ID project

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});