Legal Identity: The Cornerstone of Security and Development in Uganda, Minister Kamuntu Asserts

Minister for Internal Affairs, Ephraim Kamuntu, has highlighted that a robust legal identity system is fundamental to Uganda’s national security, effective government planning, and overall socioeconomic transformation. Speaking at the opening of the first-ever My Identity Expo and Symposium, organized by the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA), Kamuntu emphasized that accurate citizen identification is crucial for resource allocation, financial inclusion, and the successful delivery of social programs.

Kamuntu stated that NIRA plays a vital role in safeguarding citizens and maintaining a dependable national identification framework. “Identification is at the heart of security in this country. It is also at the heart of the government’s socioeconomic transformation agenda,” he remarked.

He further explained that legal identity serves as proof of nationality, enabling citizens to access essential services and opportunities. This includes opening bank accounts, utilizing healthcare and education services, obtaining official documents like passports and driving licenses, and participating in government initiatives. The Minister stressed that without registration, individuals cannot be officially recognized as Ugandan citizens.

Moreover, the Minister connected accurate identity data to electoral processes, law enforcement, and border management, asserting that it empowers government institutions to fulfill their mandates. He also pointed out the significance for economic planning, noting that reliable population data is indispensable for effective resource distribution and program implementation, such as the Parish Development Model and youth livelihood initiatives.

While acknowledging NIRA’s substantial progress in registering Ugandans, with approximately 78.8 percent of the population identified, Kamuntu urged the authority to prioritize closing the remaining gap and strive for universal registration. NIRA Vice Chairperson Benny Namugwanya echoed these sentiments, linking the event to the global campaign for an International Identity Day and Sustainable Development Goal 16.9. She underscored that identity is intrinsically linked to human dignity and the ability to exercise rights and participate fully in society.

Namugwanya added that achieving universal legal identity requires a focused approach on vulnerable groups, including children, the elderly, persons with disabilities, and those in remote areas. NIRA’s mandate encompasses the registration of citizens and resident foreigners, alongside civil registration functions. The authority aims for 100 percent identification and registration, and Namugwanya called for increased public awareness to help citizens understand that these processes are tools for empowerment, not just governmental requirements.

She concluded by emphasizing that a secure, accurate, and accessible identification system is crucial in the digital age, necessitating the protection of personal information and individual rights. The My Identity Expo and Symposium aims to foster collaboration among government, the private sector, and civil society to strengthen Uganda’s identification systems for inclusive development and good governance.

This article is based on information from Nile Post.