The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) is facing significant delays in its registration exercise in the Karamoja region, hampered by a variety of obstacles.
Since the initiative began, only 900 residents have been registered in Moroto District over the past 10 days, a small fraction of the area’s total population.
Concerns are growing about NIRA's ability to complete the exercise on time.
One of the major hurdles is the region’s challenging terrain, particularly in mountainous areas such as Tapac and Katikekile Sub-County. The difficult geography makes it tough for NIRA staff to access remote communities.
“The difficult geography makes it tough for us and NIRA staff to access remote communities like Kakingol, Lolelia, and Katikekile, slowing down the registration process,” said Joseph Pulkol, Chairman of Tapac Sub-County.
In some areas, a lack of reliable phone networks has compounded the issue, making coordination and communication nearly impossible.
“You can't even use a phone here,” noted Paul Lochoro, a resident of Ik County in Kaabong.
Another challenge involves residents’ difficulty in recalling personal details, especially those applying for their first ID. In some instances, individuals have struggled to remember their names, which has slowed down the verification process.
“This challenge has been particularly prevalent among rural residents and those without formal education, further delaying the process,” said Susan Talep, a registration officer in Moroto.
Insecurity in parts of Karamoja has also posed a serious threat to the exercise’s timely completion.
The region frequently experiences sporadic incidents of violence, making it difficult for NIRA personnel to operate in certain areas, such as Kakingol and Kosiroi, which are affected by gun violence.
This has forced the registration teams to proceed with caution, further slowing the progress.
Despite these setbacks, NIRA remains determined to meet its November 2024 deadline. However, with less than two months remaining, local authorities and residents are expressing doubts about the feasibility of this target.
In response, NIRA has urged residents to take advantage of the extended validity period for National ID cards and register as soon as possible.
“We are continuing to encourage residents to take advantage of the registration window and get registered,” Talep said.
The mass enrollment and renewal exercise aims to register all unregistered Ugandans, including children, at the parish level, ensuring no one is left behind.
This extension is particularly crucial for those who have faced challenges with the initial registration process.
As the deadline approaches, the registration effort in Karamoja underscores the broader difficulties of delivering essential services in remote and underserved areas.
The success or failure of this initiative will have significant implications for national identification efforts and the broader goal of including all Ugandans in vital government services.
The clock is ticking, and it remains to be seen whether NIRA can overcome these obstacles.