The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) office in Tororo District has recently seen an unprecedented surge in residents seeking national identification services, with applicants arriving from all 42 administrative units across the district.
Most applicants are renewing expired IDs, while others are registering for the first time or collecting newly printed cards.
The increased demand has resulted in long queues and extended waiting hours, as the offices operate on a first-come, first-served basis.
District Registration Officer Micah Mutomi said the growing numbers reflect increased public awareness of the importance of national IDs in accessing essential services.
“People have shown increased interest in their national IDs. What we do here is serve on a first-come, first-served basis, except for the elderly,” Mutomi said.
Residents noted that the rush is driven by the growing requirement of IDs for everyday services, including employment, travel documentation, and SIM card registration.
One resident said securing a job abroad became impossible without a national ID. “I got a job in Saudi Arabia and needed to travel, but when I tried to process a visa and passport, I was told to first present a national ID, which I did not have,” the resident said.
Another applicant, Richard Oburu, noted that registering a SIM card in one’s own name is now impossible without a national ID.
Despite the high turnout, NIRA officials reported that hundreds of national IDs printed last year remain uncollected at the district offices. Residents are urged to pick up their cards, which are provided free of charge.
“We still have national IDs that were printed last year and are yet to be collected. We cannot clearly tell why some people delay to pick them,” Mutomi said.
NIRA officials also warned against fraud, noting that some individuals are exploiting the high demand by charging money for services that are officially free.
The public is advised to seek national ID services directly from authorized NIRA offices and report anyone demanding payment.