The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) announced that upgraded national identity cards for individuals who applied for renewals are now ready for collection.
According to NIRA Registrar Claire Ollama, approximately 100,000 national ID cards have so far been printed and dispatched to various districts across the country. Speaking on Monday, Ollama urged applicants to remain patient as the distribution process continues.
“We have printed and sent out 100,000 ID cards, which are now available at designated pickup points. We ask Ugandans to be patient as more people will soon receive notifications with instructions on where to collect their cards,” she said.
Applicants will be required to collect their cards from the same locations where their biometric data was initially captured.
The rollout follows the nationwide mass registration exercise that began on May 27, targeting new applicants and those renewing expired IDs.
The upgraded national IDs come with enhanced security features, including laser engraving that embeds multiple images on the card, visible from different angles—making counterfeiting more difficult.
Additionally, the cards now feature a Machine Readable Zone (MRZ), similar to those found in passports, which allows for quick and reliable data retrieval by electronic scanners.
Each ID also includes a two-dimensional (2D) barcode containing encrypted data that can be accessed using smartphones or specialized scanners. This feature facilitates rapid identification, verification, and data security.
Where to Pick Your National IDs
If you renewed your National ID at Kololo NIRA headquarters, please note that your ID will be issued from the same location. You are expected to collect it there once it’s ready.
For organizations or companies where NIRA officials conducted on-site renewals (e.g. UBC, NTV), the IDs will be available for collection from the nearest NIRA office.For example, UBC and NTV staff will collect their renewed IDs from the NIRA Kampala Central Division office located on Lumumba Avenue.
NIRA is also exploring the possibility of distributing renewed National IDs at parish level to improve accessibility.
Ugandans are urged to wait for official notifications, which will be sent via SMS to the phone number used during registration. The message will indicate the exact location for ID collection.
The ongoing mass registration and renewal exercise, which began in May 2025, aims to: Renew 15.8 million National IDs set to expire by June 2025
Register 17.2 million new applicants, including: Children under 17 Citizens who missed the 2014 registration.
The New National IDs will feature enhanced security, including; Laser engraving of multiple images for anti-counterfeit protection; A Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) like those in passports and A 2D barcode readable by smartphones or scanners, storing encrypted personal data and enabling fast identity verification
