Government Moves to Synchronize New National IDs, Address Verification Hurdles

The government has assured the public that ongoing efforts are underway to streamline the authentication of newly issued national identification cards. Speaking in Parliament, the Minister for Health, Hon. Chris Baryomunsi, explained that the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) is currently conducting a synchronization process with the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC).

Baryomunsi addressed concerns after Hon. Paul Mwiru, the Member of Parliament for Jinja South Division East, raised a matter of national importance during a plenary sitting. Mwiru shared his frustration after financial institutions rejected his new national ID during a routine account update, requiring him to secure an extra verification letter from NIRA.

The legislator questioned how the government plans to transition tax collection registration from traditional Tax Identification Numbers (TINs) to National Identity Numbers (NINs) if the newly issued cards face immediate authentication hurdles. State Minister for Finance for Planning, Hon. Amos Lugoloobi, had earlier introduced the proposal to adopt NINs as primary tax identifiers to expand the tax base and eliminate duplicate registrations.

In response to these concerns, Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa directed the Committee on ICT and National Guidance to oversee the seamless authentication of the IDs. The committee, chaired by Hon. Andrew Ojok, was also tasked with addressing separate petitions regarding the recent UCC directive targeting unlicensed public Wi-Fi operators and mobile hotspot dealers.

Read the full report on the Parliament of Uganda.