Lira | The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has rolled out a countrywide mass registration exercise targeting school-going children under 18 years of age.
In Lira district, the campaign commenced on July 14, focusing on nursery and primary school learners. However, the process is facing delays due to the mandatory requirement for parents or guardians to be physically present during registration.
Innocencia Achieng, the Lira District Registration Officer for NIRA noted that while the campaign has already covered several schools including Lira Police Primary School, Saving Grace, Awiodyek, and Elia Olet progress is hampered by low parental turnout.
“We are currently registering children who are available with their parents. Teachers are not allowed to register children on behalf of parents,” Achieng emphasized.
The primary objective of the initiative is to assign National Identification Numbers (NINs) to children early in life, a step NIRA believes is critical for effective national planning and smoother access to essential services such as education, healthcare, and future employment.
To register a child, the only requirement is the national ID of the accompanying parent or guardian.
Registration assistants are traversing schools across the district, working closely with the Ministry of Education, local government officials, and school administrators to mobilize communities.
Achieng appealed to parents to treat the exercise with urgency. “This system is operating in all sub-counties. We advise parents to take this opportunity seriously. Those who miss their scheduled days may find it difficult to catch up later.”
While the campaign is expected to run throughout the school term, officials warn that parents who are unaware of the registration schedule or unable to be present due to work commitments, travel, or family separation risk leaving their children unregistered.
Education experts and community leaders have welcomed the initiative, but some have raised concerns about children outside the formal education system.
Vulnerable groups such as children of single parents, those in informal learning environments, or those whose guardians work far from home may face challenges in accessing the service.
Despite these challenges, NIRA is committed to its mission of capturing all citizens in the national database. Officials argue that early registration will reduce last-minute rushes during critical academic milestones, such as sitting national exams, and simplify applications for birth certificates, travel documents, and other government services.
NIRA urges parents to stay in touch with school authorities and local leaders to know when officers will visit their child’s school. Regular updates are expected throughout the term to help ensure no child is left behind.
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