7-day NIRA ID issuance drive brings relief to Kitgum residents

Hundreds of residents in Kitgum District and Kitgum municipality are finally receiving their long-awaited national identity cards following a high-speed, seven-day issuance exercise by the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) at the Kitgum municipal Mayor’s Grounds.

The outreach, aimed at clearing a backlog of uncollected IDs, has drawn large crowds of residents eager to access a document considered essential for daily life.

From early morning, queues formed at the venue as officials worked to verify identities and hand over cards in an exercise authorities say is both timely and necessary.

Kitgum District Registration Officer Nancy Adyero said the team had set an ambitious target of issuing more than 16,000 national IDs within the seven-day period.

She expressed confidence that the goal would be achieved, citing improved organization and preparedness.

“We have organised our teams and systems to ensure efficient service delivery. We call upon all residents to turn up and collect their IDs promptly,” Adyero said.

The exercise is part of NIRA’s broader national effort to reduce the backlog of uncollected identity cards and expand access to identification services, particularly in underserved regions.

Officials say national IDs are critical for accessing key services, including banking, SIM card registration, voting, and participation in government programs.

For many residents, the exercise marks the end of a long wait. Aber Priscilla, a resident of Pandwong Division, said she had nearly lost hope after waiting for her ID for an extended period. Receiving it has opened new opportunities.

“I have waited for my ID for a long time. Today I am happy because now I can open a bank account and access other services,” she said.

Another beneficiary, John Bosco Komakech, described the process as faster and more organized compared to previous experiences. However, he urged authorities to extend similar services to sub-counties to help those unable to travel to the district headquarters.

“This time the process is efficient, but many people in remote areas still face challenges reaching here. It would be better if such services are taken closer to them,” he noted.

Local leaders have thrown their weight behind the initiative, urging residents not to miss the opportunity. Kitgum district LC chairperson Arwai Christopher Obol warned that failure to collect national IDs could limit access to essential services and opportunities.

“This is an important exercise for our people. Without a national ID, many services remain out of reach. I encourage everyone to take advantage of this initiative,” Obol said.

The seven-day campaign reflects a growing shift toward mobile and time-bound service delivery models, especially in northern Uganda, where access to government services has historically been limited by distance and infrastructure challenges.

NIRA officials say such outreach programs are designed not only to speed up distribution but also to restore public confidence in the registration system. The authority has in recent months intensified efforts to improve efficiency, including increasing production capacity and decentralising collection points.

While the Kitgum exercise has been widely welcomed, questions remain about sustainability and scale. Residents and local leaders alike are calling for similar initiatives to be rolled out regularly and extended to lower administrative units such as sub-counties and parishes.

As the exercise progresses, it is already making a visible impact transforming long queues of frustrated applicants into satisfied citizens walking away with a document that unlocks access to essential services.

For many in Kitgum, the message is clear: after years of waiting, identification is finally within reach. Uganda’s national ID renewal and mass enrollment exercise, launched in May 2025 by the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA), aims to replace expired cards and register new applicants.

The move follows the expiry of IDs issued around 2014, which are essential for accessing services such as banking, SIM card registration, voting, and government programs.

NIRA targets issuing IDs to about 15 million citizens by the end of 2025, while clearing a backlog of uncollected cards. Production has increased to about 40,000 cards daily, with plans to scale up further.

Amid the exercise, Peter Okwalinga Jr. a Ugandan individual recognized for providing information and updates regarding recruitment processes for the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) in Uganda has become a notable online source of updates, guiding applicants through the process.

He emphasises the importance of accurate information, noting that, “Many people miss opportunities because they lack the right information,” urging citizens to follow official guidelines and prepare documents in advance.