KAMPALA, Uganda — The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has introduced an online pre-registration portal accessible via its official website, allowing Ugandan citizens to initiate the process for national ID registration or renewal remotely, wherever internet connectivity is available.
This self-service feature caters to both individuals applying for a national ID for the first time and those seeking to renew their expired identification cards.
Upon online application submission, users will receive a unique reference number, which they will need to present at their nearest NIRA center. At the center, NIRA officials will capture the applicant’s biometric data, including iris scans.
To optimize user experience, NIRA advises accessing the portal using a computer rather than a mobile device. The national ID renewal program commenced with a pilot phase that ran from May 2 to May 26, 2025.
This initial phase involved NIRA board members and officials from the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Nationwide registration for the public began on May 27, 2025.
Renewal of national IDs is offered free of charge to applicants who present their old ID, either the original card or a photocopy. If the previous ID has been lost, a valid police letter will be accepted.
A replacement fee of Shs 50,000 will be levied for lost IDs, while corrections or modifications to existing records will incur a cost of Shs 200,000. Priority in the renewal process will be given to individuals whose national IDs are scheduled to expire in June 2025.
NIRA’s objectives include registering an estimated 17.2 million previously unregistered Ugandans and renewing the national IDs of 15.8 million citizens.
To renew a national ID, applicants are required to present their existing National ID card or, in the event of a lost ID, a valid police letter.
For first-time registration, all Ugandan citizens aged 18 and above must provide an introduction letter that has been signed by the Local Council 1 (LC1) Chairperson and stamped by the Internal Security Officer (GISO or ISO).
This letter must contain the applicant’s name, date of birth, tribe, clan, and nationality, as well as the names, tribes, clans, nationalities, and current living status of the applicant’s parents.
Applicants under the age of 18 are required to present a photocopy of at least one parent’s National ID.
If both parents are deceased, a copy of a National ID belonging to a blood relative will be necessary.
Key features and benefits of the online pre-registration portal option:
- Convenience and time-saving: The primary advantage lies in the ability to complete preliminary paperwork online. This substantially reduces the time applicants need to spend at NIRA centers, transforming what was often a full-day undertaking into a more focused visit solely for biometric data capture.
- Accessibility: The portal broadens NIRA’s reach, particularly benefiting individuals in remote or rural areas who previously faced considerable travel time and expenses to reach registration points. While NIRA advises using a computer for optimal functionality due to current limitations in mobile compatibility, the enhanced accessibility is a significant step forward.
- Reduced ongestion at centers: By moving data entry online, NIRA aims to markedly decrease foot traffic at its physical registration centers. This will enable staff to concentrate on crucial in-person procedures such as biometric capture and identity verification, leading to a more efficient overall operation.
- Unique Application ID: Upon successful completion of the online steps, applicants receive a unique application ID. This serves as a digital reference number, ensuring traceability and a seamless transition to the physical verification stage. This ID, along with a printed copy of the application form, must be presented at the NIRA center.
- Targeted for mass renewal: The portal is particularly vital for the ongoing nationwide mass renewal exercise, which targets 15.8 million IDs nearing expiration, especially those expiring in June 2025. It offers a structured method for these renewals to commence ahead of the August 12, 2025, deadline, after which expired IDs will no longer be valid.
How the online pre-registration process works:
- Online pre-registration: Applicants visit the official NIRA website and access the online portal, selecting whether they are applying for a first-time ID or renewing an existing one.
- Data entry: Users accurately fill in their personal and parental information, encompassing details traditionally required for ID applications.
- Receive Application ID: Once the online form is submitted, the system generates a unique application ID, which applicants are advised to save or print.
- In-person biometric capture: Applicants proceed to a designated NIRA center with their application ID and necessary supporting documents. There, NIRA officials will capture their biometric data, including fingerprint and iris scans. This step remains a critical security measure and cannot be performed remotely.
- Document verification: Required documents, such as photocopies of a parent’s ID for first-time applicants or an old ID/police report for renewals/replacements, will be presented for verification.
- Processing and delivery: Following successful biometric capture and document verification, the application enters the processing phase. While initial processing may take up to five months due to high demand, NIRA anticipates reducing this to two weeks as system efficiency improves. A significant planned enhancement is the direct home delivery of completed national IDs under a new logistics framework.
Supporting infrastructure and future vision:
This digital transformation is supported by a strategic partnership established in July 2024 between NIRA and UAE-based Tahaluf Al Emarat Technical Solutions. This collaboration has already yielded significant infrastructure improvements, including:
- 5,665 biometric kits: Distributed nationwide by February 2025, crucial for efficient biometric data capture.
- High-capacity card printers: Two printers, delivered in March 2025, capable of producing 100,000 laser-engraved IDs daily, addressing the high volume of applications.
- Secure servers and data systems: Installed between October 2024 and January 2025, providing the necessary robust technological infrastructure for secure data management and efficient operations.
The online portal, which officially launched nationwide public registration on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, underscores NIRA’s accelerated commitment to delivering secure, verifiable, and accessible identification to all eligible Ugandans, thereby facilitating improved public service delivery and national planning.