MP Paul Mwiru Questions TIN-to-NIN Transition After Bank Account Freeze

Jinja South Division East Member of Parliament Paul Mwiru has raised serious concerns regarding the government’s proposed transition from Tax Identification Numbers to National Identification Numbers. Speaking in Parliament, the legislator questioned the system’s overall readiness after experiencing unexpected hurdles with his own bank verification.

Mr Mwiru revealed that his bank account was temporarily frozen pending an update of his identification details. When he presented his newly issued national identity card, bank officials reportedly declined to accept it as standalone proof of identity, demanding an additional verification letter instead.

The planned shift aims to utilize NINs issued by the National Identification and Registration Authority as standard tax identifiers. This integration is intended to eliminate the need for citizens to maintain separate identification numbers across various government services.

However, the MP’s experience exposes critical gaps in how financial institutions handle newly issued identity documents. Without clear procedures and seamless coordination between NIRA, tax authorities, and commercial banks, such administrative hurdles risk restricting citizens’ access to essential financial services.

Lawmakers have emphasized the need for clear guidelines on acceptable documentation to ensure the upcoming integration does not cause unnecessary bureaucratic delays for taxpayers.

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