The Ministry of Internal Affairs has taken decisive action to curb extortion, corruption, and bribery within the national identity card registration system.
State Minister for Internal Affairs, General David Muhoozi, disclosed that several officials at the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) have been suspended, while impostors involved in illicit dealings have been arrested.
Presenting a ministerial statement to Parliament, Minister Muhoozi confirmed widespread allegations of corruption at some service centers. “We have seen brokers and middlemen soliciting bribes from people who cannot read or write,” he said, highlighting common malpractice such as paying to skip queues and the illegal sale of registration forms that are supposed to be free.
The Minister assured the public that NIRA has instituted strict disciplinary measures and encouraged citizens to report extortion through official channels at [email protected].
As of August 4, 2025, NIRA had received over 8.2 million applications for National ID renewals. Despite challenges, Minister Muhoozi confirmed that ID production is ongoing and that efforts are underway to reduce delays.
Reactions from legislators were mixed. Some applauded the crackdown, while others voiced concerns about the efficiency of the registration process.
Kumi District Woman MP Christine Apolot lamented, “Many people registered years ago and still don’t have their IDs.” Mbale Industrial Division MP Karim Masaba cited frequent data entry errors, while Workers’ Representative Charles Bakkabulindi criticized long waiting times for renewals and new card issuance.
Minister Muhoozi urged the public to support anti-corruption efforts by coming forward with evidence against extortionists. “Many victims are hesitant to share details, making prosecutions difficult,” he noted.
With these arrests and suspensions, the government is sending a clear message: extortion and corruption will not be tolerated in the national ID registration process.
