NIRA unveils online ID pre-registration portal as mass renewal exercise begins

The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has launched an online pre-registration portal on its website, allowing Ugandans to begin the ID registration or renewal process from any location with internet access.

The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has launched an online pre-registration portal on its website, allowing Ugandans to begin the ID registration or renewal process from any location with internet access.

This self-service option works for first-time applicants and those renewing expired cards.

After submitting an application online, users will receive a unique ID to present at the nearest NIRA center. There, officials will capture biometric data including iris scans.

NIRA advises applicants to use computers rather than phones for smoother access to the portal.

The ability to expedite construction will help address the bottlenecks faced by investors, manufacturers, and agro-processors looking to expand in the country.

The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has launched an online pre-registration portal on its website, allowing Ugandans to begin the ID registration or renewal process from any location with internet access.

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This phase will involve NIRA’s board members and leadership from the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Countrywide registration opens to the public on May 27, 2025.

A fee of Shs50,000 applies for replacing lost IDs, while corrections or changes to existing records cost Shs200,000.

Priority will go to people whose IDs are set to expire in June 2025.

In July 2024, NIRA signed a deal with Tahaluf Al Emarat Technical Solutions to support this initiative. Under the agreement, the company supplied 5,665 biometric kits, all delivered by January 2025 and distributed nationwide in February.

Two card printing machines were also provided in March 2025. These can produce up to 100,000 laser-engraved cards daily. Data center equipment like servers and communication tools was installed between October 2024 and January 2025.

Children under 18 can register for free with a photocopy of a parent’s National ID. If parents are not available, a grandparent or blood relative’s ID will work.

Adults registering for the first time must provide similar documents plus a letter from local leaders or a citizenship certificate from the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control.

Those who need to change or correct personal details must visit NIRA district offices with supporting documents listed on the NIRA website. Lost ID replacements require either a police letter or a copy of the expired card.

Once submitted, applications should take about four weeks for processing. However, during the first three to five months, delays may happen due to high demand. After that period, processing times could drop to two weeks.

NIRA aims to finish renewing all expired IDs by August 12, 2025, when the current extension allowing expired IDs to remain valid ends. Once processed, new IDs will be sent to applicants’ homes for collection