The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has clarified how old National ID cards will be handled as Ugandans begin receiving the new high-tech National IDs.
NIRA Registrar Claire Olama reassured the public that old cards will not be confiscated during the issuance process.
Instead, they will remain valid personal documents, even after being administratively marked as expired.
“Old National IDs remain your personal documents and will not be taken away,” Olama said. “They will only be marked administratively to indicate that they are expired, but the information on them will still be readable.”
Olama advised citizens to bring their old IDs when collecting the new ones, as they are required for verification.
“When you come, you need your old card to identify you. We look at it, confirm that you are the rightful owner, and once we see that your new card is ready, you provide your biometric—your fingerprints or your iris—so that we complete the process and issue your new National ID,” she explained.
After verification, the old card is returned to the owner with a single administrative punch mark, which invalidates the card without affecting its readability.
“The old card remains your document, and you will still take it home,” Olama added.
“The NIRA officer must put an administrative mark in the form of a single punch on a blank corner that does not have data. Make sure the officer does not punch your barcode because we need your old card for posterity. It must remain readable.”
The process ensures that individuals leave with two cards: the new, clean National ID and the old one marked as expired but still readable.
Olama also called on the public to remain orderly and patient at collection centres.
“Happy card picking. I hope we will be people of decorum. We will line up, we will be patient, and as NIRA, we promise that everybody who asks will get feedback about their application. We shall all get national IDs,” she said.
The rollout of the new generation National IDs is currently underway at designated collection points across Uganda.