The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has begun a national identification enrolment and renewal exercise for Ugandan citizens and Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) personnel serving in Somalia.
The exercise, which started on 20 October 2025, is part of NIRA’s ongoing nationwide programme to renew expired National Identification Cards and register new applicants, as required by the Registration of Persons Act (ROPA) 2015. The law mandates NIRA to register all citizens and issue national identity cards, which are vital for accessing services, national planning, and security.
Among the first to participate was AUSSOM Force Commander Lt Gen Sam Kavuma, who encouraged all Ugandans in Somalia to make use of the opportunity.
“I encourage every Ugandan here to come forward and renew their National ID. It is a vital document that connects you to your country,” Lt Gen Kavuma said.
Brig Gen Joseph Musoke Ssemwanga, the Commander of Sector One in Somalia, commended NIRA and UPDF leadership for including troops deployed in mission areas. He said renewing IDs would ensure that service members continue to enjoy the full benefits of identification, including verification of voting eligibility for those returning home during the 2026 election period.
Colonel Richard Kukundakwe, who heads the NIRA team conducting the registration, revealed that the mass renewal and registration campaign aims to reach over 15.8 million Ugandans with expired IDs and 15 million children registering for the first time.
He said the exercise is crucial to national data management, service delivery, and security planning, emphasizing that Special Interest Groups (SIGs) including UPDF members are entitled to the same services as all citizens.
“For UPDF personnel and civilians stationed outside Uganda, the renewal exercise is being conducted through a secure outreach approach to ensure inclusion,” Col Kukundakwe explained.
The twelve-day exercise is expected to cover over 10,000 Ugandans, both military and civilian, currently living or serving in Somalia under Uganda’s regional peacekeeping mission.
NIRA’s outreach reflects Uganda’s commitment to ensuring that all citizens regardless of location remain part of the national identification system, which is central to government planning, service access, and electoral participation.
