Uganda Prepares Large-scale Biometric Registration for National ID

Uganda’s National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) is preparing for a significant national ID enrollment and renewal exercise starting in October 2024. The initiative will involve deploying 5,680 biometric kits equipped with iris scanners.

The new system is expected to be operational in mid-October, aligning with the Electoral Commission’s November 30 deadline for updating the voters’ register ahead of the 2026 general elections. NIRA aims to register 17.2 million unregistered Ugandans and renew the IDs of 15.8 million citizens.

To execute the large-scale operation, the Ugandan government plans to hire 13,000 personnel to work across 10,717 parishes. Given that millions of National ID cards are expiring between August 2024 and December 2025, the government has announced a one-year extension to ensure citizens can continue accessing essential services. The extension, formalized through a statutory amendment, aims to prevent any disruption or disenfranchisement during the transition to the new system.

The biometric kits are enhanced with portable solar kits, additional batteries, and advanced iris scanners. The process will include an online pre-registration phase followed by biometric data capture at the parish level, beginning two to three weeks after online registration.

NIRA is also working with 90 institutions including banks and telecoms to ensure continued real-time access to ID data.

It is not currently clear if Ugandan authorities have selected a biometrics vendor for the project. Last year, NIRA had announced plans to work with Veridos on a national ID card, but there has been ongoing controversy and competition over the contract to produce ID cards for Uganda. Veridos is competing with Muehlbauer High Tech International, which has previously supplied Uganda’s National Security Information System (NSIS) but is currently embroiled in a scandal concerning overcharging and other issues.

Source: Dispatch

–

August 19, 2024 – by Ali Nassar-Smith