NIRA rolls out National IDs for foreign residents

The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has begun issuing national identification cards to foreigners who are legally residing in Uganda. The process kicked off on Thursday at NIRA’s offices on Lumumba Avenue in Kampala.

According to NIRA spokesperson Osborn Mushabe, the new identification cards are intended to provide a unified document for legally resident foreigners to access various services. It also strengthens the government’s capacity to account for all individuals living and working in the country.

“We also have a mandate to register aliens who are legally resident in Uganda. We kickstarted registration for aliens on 10th June this year, and today we are glad to inform the general public that we are going to be issuing out our first Alien ID,” Mushabe stated.

These cards will allow foreigners to perform tasks such as registering SIM cards, opening bank accounts, and registering businesses, mirroring the services available to Ugandan citizens. However, the identification card does not grant voting rights.

NIRA Registrar Claire Ollama detailed the distinct features of the alien card. Unlike the pinkish-purple Ugandan national ID, the alien card is greenish-blue. The placement of the holder’s ghost image also differs; on the citizen’s ID, it appears within the Ugandan map, while on the alien card, it is located inside a global icon.

Furthermore, while Ugandan national IDs are permanent, alien cards have an expiry date linked to the holder’s legal permission to stay in Uganda. Renewal of the alien card will be contingent upon the extension of the holder’s work permit or legal status.

Foreign nationals can register at NIRA offices or through special registration drives conducted at companies that employ them. NIRA has set up registration points at its Lumumba Avenue and Kololo offices, as well as at the Indian Association and District Internal Security Organization (DISO) offices.

By Thursday morning, NIRA had registered 1,875 foreigners, with approximately 1,500 cards ready for collection. Diplomats, their dependents, and refugees are exempt from this requirement.

The cost for the alien identification card is $100, payable through the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA).

Lukas Hack Chul, a German national who received his card, expressed his appreciation for the initiative, noting that it enhances his sense of security and clarity while working in Uganda.

Source: Nile Post