The Mufti of Uganda Sheikh Shaban Mubaje has asked Ugandans to go in big numbers to renew their national identity cards while those who have never done, to also enroll.
“I have experienced the service and I can confirm the team is professional and the equipment are high-tech. Everything is done in a way that ill ensure it will be difficult for the iris and fingerprint to be forged,” Mubaje said.
The Mufti was on Wednesday speaking at the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council at Old Kampala as he registered for renewal of his national ID.
National Identification and Registration Authority(NIRA) last week kicked off the mass national ID renewal and enrollment across the country.
Ugandans’ first batch of national IDs were printed and issued between 2014 and 2015 and after 10 years, they expired last year in 2024 and this year 2025.
Government recently extended the expiry period for one year.
At least 15.8 million national identity cards are expected to expire by August this year.
The ongoing mass registration exercise is meant to renew the national IDs but also add advanced security features for easy identification.
NIRA Executive Director, Rosemary Kisembo recently said only 27.4 million Ugandans are currently registered, of the 45.9 million according to last year’s census.
Speaking on Wednesday, Mufti Mubaje said getting a national ID is key in ensuring one’s citizenship.
“A national ID confirms you are a Ugandan. Even if you move abroad, since you have a national ID, you will be easily identified as a Ugandan. In Uganda, time will reach when you cant access government services without a national ID. This is your opportunity to register and get a national ID. Let everyone seize this opportunity and register to renew their national IDs.”
