Uganda’s NIRA Upgrades National ID System with High-Capacity Biometric Machines

?The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) of Uganda is enhancing its capabilities by acquiring high-capacity machines to facilitate the mass enrollment and renewal of National Identification Cards. This initiative aims to register 17.2 million new individuals and renew 15.8 million existing ID cards, many of which are set to expire between August 2024 and January 2025.?

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?Equipment Acquisition and Deployment Timeline

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?NIRA has outlined a detailed timeline for the procurement and deployment of the necessary equipment:?

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?- November 24, 2024: Arrival of the first batch of 3,000 biometric kits, accounting for 53.1% of the total 5,665 kits expected. ??

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?- December 17, 2024: Arrival of an additional 1,668 kits.

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?- January 12, 2025 : Final batch of 997 kits is scheduled to arrive, completing the total acquisition. ?

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?These biometric kits are equipped with advanced features, including iris scanners, to enhance the accuracy and security of the identification process. ?

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?Enhancements to the National ID System

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?In addition to the biometric kits, NIRA is implementing several upgrades to the National Identification System:?

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?- Data Center Installation and Configuration : Scheduled from October 20 to November 15, 2024, to support the increased data processing requirements.

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?- Card Printing Equipment Upgrade: Set for November 25, 2024, to increase production capacity to 46,000 cards per machine per day. ?

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?- Training Programs : Comprehensive training for staff and registration assistants to ensure efficient operation of the new equipment and systems. ?

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?Budget and Funding

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?The Ugandan government has approved a budget of UGX 666.85 billion for this extensive project. The funds will cover the acquisition of hardware and software, procurement of blank ID cards, fuel, allowances for 13,000 registration assistants, and other administrative costs.?

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?Public Advisory

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?NIRA has announced that expired National ID cards will remain valid for an additional year, allowing citizens continued access to government services and financial transactions during the renewal process.??

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?Citizens are encouraged to participate actively in the upcoming mass enrollment and renewal exercises to ensure their identification documents are up-to-date and to avoid any inconveniences.?

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