KAMPALA, Uganda — Uganda’s national identification system is getting a major overhaul. The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has announced the rollout of enhanced National ID cards equipped with high-tech anti-forgery features, including Multi Laser Image (MLI), iris scans, and encrypted embedded photos.
The mass enrollment and renewal exercise begins May 27, 2025, and targets over 33 million Ugandans—15.8 million whose IDs are set to expire, and 17.2 million eligible new applicants.
Addressing the media at the Uganda Media Centre, NIRA Executive Director Rosemary Kisembo stressed the urgency of the exercise.
“Most IDs will expire in June 2025, and some have already lapsed,” she said. “Renewing them is crucial for continued access to public services like voting, healthcare, and banking.”
The upgraded National ID cards come with cutting-edge security features designed to combat forgery and enhance identity verification. Key features include:
- Multi Laser Image (MLI): A laser-embedded image within the polycarbonate card, visible to the naked eye, which reveals inconsistencies in any tampered or overlaid photocopies.
- Photo embedded in Uganda’s map: An additional visual marker to verify authenticity.
- Iris image capture: A biometric layer that adds another level of identification beyond fingerprints.
- Encrypted text and biometric data: Locked into the card to ensure only authorized use and verification.
“For those who duplicate or overlay these cards, the forgery will now be visible to everyone,” Kisembo warned. “The MLI makes tampering obvious.”
Beyond the technology, NIRA is rolling out an inclusive national strategy to ensure no Ugandan is left behind.
Local leaders, particularly LC1 chairpersons, will spearhead community mobilization and coordinate mass registration schedules.
They will also support household-level identification for vulnerable groups, including SAGE beneficiaries.
To reach the country’s most remote regions, mobile registration units will be dispatched.
These mobile teams are tasked with enrolling citizens in hard-to-reach communities and ensuring access for elderly, disabled, and marginalized populations.
The initiative marks a major step forward in Uganda’s digital governance and identity infrastructure.
With growing reliance on biometric verification in public services, the new IDs are expected to improve service delivery, reduce identity fraud, and strengthen the national database.
NIRA is calling on all Ugandans to prepare for the exercise by gathering required documents and cooperating with local leaders. A national ID is not just a card—it’s now the gateway to full citizenship and essential services.
