Uganda NIRA: National ID Collection Backlog Hits 5.4 Million

• Uganda's National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) is holding 5.4 million uncollected national identity cards.
• This significant backlog is primarily attributed to a severe shortage of permanent staff following the expiry of temporary contracts.
• The uncollected IDs impede citizens' access to essential services like banking, mobile money, and obtaining driving permits.
• NIRA's mandate expanded in 2024 to include civil registration, exacerbating its capacity challenges without a corresponding increase in resources.
• Parliamentary committees are scrutinizing NIRA's service delivery, citing issues beyond just staffing numbers, including efficiency and system activation delays.

This substantial backlog of uncollected national identity cards is severely impacting citizens' access to essential services, from financial transactions to obtaining driving permits.

The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) in Uganda is currently facing a profound service delivery crisis, highlighted by a massive accumulation of uncollected national identity cards. Approximately 5.4 million newly printed national IDs remain in NIRA's custody, awaiting collection by citizens. This substantial backlog of uncollected national identity cards is severely impacting citizens' access to essential services, from financial transactions to obtaining driving permits.

This critical situation was brought to light during a parliamentary session, where it was revealed that out of roughly 15.4 million new identity cards printed by NIRA, only about 10 million have been successfully issued. The remaining 5.4 million represent a significant hurdle for individuals seeking to engage in formal economic activities or access government services, as the national ID has become an indispensable document for formal identity verification across the country.

Rosemary Kisembo, NIRA's Executive Director, informed the Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) that the primary cause of this extensive backlog is a critical shortage of permanent staff. This NIRA staffing crisis Uganda emerged after a large temporary workforce, initially hired for a mass enrollment exercise launched on May 27, 2025, saw their contracts expire. This temporary cohort, which once numbered between 9,800 and 12,000 personnel despite high attrition, was crucial for NIRA's operations. NIRA's current operational capacity is severely constrained, with only 418 filled positions out of an approved establishment of 571, and a mere 201 staff members directly interacting with the public. The authority estimates that even with a dedicated focus on distribution, it would take approximately nine months to clear the outstanding cards.

The agency's responsibilities were significantly expanded by the Uganda Registration of Persons Act, 2015, as amended in 2024. This legislation mandates NIRA to maintain the National Identification Register, register both citizens and lawful non-citizens, and manage birth and death records. Furthermore, the 2024 amendments transferred civil registration functions, including marriage registration, from the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) to NIRA. This increased remit, however, was not accompanied by a corresponding increase in NIRA's staffing or operational capacity, exacerbating the existing challenges.

To address the persistent Uganda NIRA national ID collection backlog and broader service delivery issues, NIRA is seeking parliamentary approval to augment its workforce. The authority proposes increasing its permanent establishment from 571 to 998 positions and hiring at least 2,700 temporary workers for an 18-month period. This temporary cohort is intended to tackle a range of critical tasks, including processing renewals for an estimated six million people, registering approximately 10.9 million Ugandans currently without national IDs, handling changes of particulars, and supporting comprehensive birth and death registration efforts.

Despite receiving approximately Shs15 billion for temporary staffing in the current financial year, which enabled the hiring of 3,000 to 3,600 workers for three months at a daily rate of roughly Shs40,000, Executive Director Kisembo acknowledged this as only a short-term measure. She warned that without a more sustainable solution, the agency would revert to its critically low staffing levels of 418 personnel, with only 201 in client-facing roles, once the three-month period concludes. Members of COSASE, however, expressed skepticism that the problem was solely a matter of staffing numbers. George Musisi, the Deputy Chairperson of COSASE and MP for Kira Municipality, highlighted that issues such as staff motivation, overall efficiency, and internal service standards also significantly contribute to the delays, citing his own difficulties in merely collecting an ID. Committee Chairperson Muwada Nkunyingi brought attention to instances where individuals, despite possessing newly issued national IDs, found their details had not been activated or properly linked within relevant systems, rendering the cards effectively useless.

The ongoing challenges at NIRA extend beyond mere administrative inconvenience, creating tangible difficulties for Ugandan citizens. The national ID is a foundational requirement for accessing a wide array of essential services, and the current delays are causing significant disruptions. Committee Chairperson Muwada Nkunyingi brought attention to instances where individuals, despite possessing newly issued national IDs, found their details had not been activated or properly linked within relevant systems, rendering the cards effectively useless.

Furthermore, the impact is particularly acute for younger citizens. Geofrey Wokuri, MP for Bungokho County South, pointed out that young people seeking driving permits face a precarious situation where payments made for training can expire while they await the operationalization of their identity information due to NIRA service delivery delays Uganda. This systemic issue not only hinders individual progress but also poses broader compliance risks for regulated entities that rely on verified identity for transactions and services, directly impacting Uganda national ID essential services access.

Lawyers and compliance officers in Uganda should anticipate significant delays and challenges for clients requiring national IDs or civil registration services from NIRA, potentially impacting financial transactions, business operations, and legal processes reliant on verified identity or official records. This situation creates compliance risks for regulated entities due to difficulties in client identification and verification.

Source: Original reporting via AllAfrica Uganda