Efforts to root out extortion within the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) are being undermined by the public’s unwillingness to report and testify against perpetrators, Minister of State for Internal Affairs Gen David Muhoozi has revealed.
While addressing Parliament on Tuesday, Muhoozi said investigations into fraudulent activities involving individuals posing as NIRA officials have repeatedly stalled due to lack of cooperation from victims.
“Many people who fall prey to extortion are hesitant to share details or provide evidence, making it difficult to build cases for prosecution,” the minister told legislators.
Citing a recent incident in Kassanda District, Muhoozi said the Resident District Commissioner acted on reports of extortion, leading to the arrest of two NIRA staff and two imposters.
The suspects were held at Kassanda Police Station for a week.
It is not an isolated incident, however. In places like Jinja City, the Nile Post has reported cases where data officials were asking for Shs20,000 or more from each person before handling their case.
Those without the money usually wait for days to be attended to.
“Despite the arrests, no one came forward to record a statement or file a formal complaint,” he said.
“Eventually, the suspects were released on bond as police waited for complainants who never returned.”
Muhoozi also decried the role of brokers, middlemen, and even local leaders who impersonate or collude with NIRA officials to charge citizens for services that are officially free.
“Some Local Council chairpersons and third-party agents solicit bribes under the guise of helping people register,” he noted.
“These individuals operate beyond the Authority’s direct control but continue to exploit vulnerable communities.”
The minister called on the public to actively support the fight against corruption by reporting extortionists and agreeing to testify, stressing that government remains committed to sanitizing the national registration system.
