The mass renewal of national identification cards has been postponed once again, with the Ministry of Internal Affairs announcing an extension of one year for expired National IDs.
This decision comes as the government seeks more time to incorporate additional security updates and address emerging challenges.
Originally scheduled for June to September 2024, the renewal exercise was first pushed to October 2025.
Now, the government has confirmed that the IDs will remain valid for an additional year, offering citizens more time before they must renew their documents.
In a statement, the State Minister for Internal Affairs, General David Muhoozi, reassured the public that despite the extension, preparations for the mass renewal exercise continue.
"The necessary equipment to facilitate the process has already been secured, and staff training on its usage is ongoing," the Minister confirmed.
Minister Muhoozi said his team is actively working on technological advancements to enhance the National Security Information System (NSIS).
These improvements aim to bolster the security features of national ID cards ahead of the mass enrolment exercise.
During the plenary session, MPs raised questions about the slow pace of the renewal process and the ongoing reliance on physical IDs.
Rukiga County MP Roland Bish Ndyomugyenyi proposed a shift towards full digitalization of the ID renewal system, highlighting the potential efficiencies.
MP Asuman Basalirwa, of Bugiri Municipality, echoed concerns, suggesting that reliance on taxpayers for the funding of such programs exacerbates existing challenges.
In response, Minister Muhoozi emphasized that digital IDs are being developed, which will reduce the financial burden on citizens and also address the issue of expired IDs.
He further assured that the government is working to streamline the process.
The extension of the renewal deadline will give citizens ample time to complete the process, while the government moves forward with plans to digitalise the system and improve security measures for future national IDs.