Minister Kamuntu Pledges Government Support to Strengthen NIRA

Uganda's Minister of Internal Affairs, Ephraim Kamuntu, has committed government support to bolster the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA). He emphasized that the National Identification Register is a crucial national asset for Uganda's security, development, and crime prevention.

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Knowing and registering citizens is critical for the security and transformation of the country.

During a visit to NIRA headquarters, accompanied by Permanent Secretary Lt. Gen. Joseph Musanyufu, Minister Kamuntu interacted with the public seeking services. He stated that citizen registration is vital for the country's security and transformation, and public feedback would guide improvements in service delivery. NIRA Executive Director Rosemary Kisembo reported that the authority holds records for over 35 million Ugandans, covering more than 73 percent of the population, with services extended to all 135 districts.

However, Kisembo identified staffing as a major challenge, with NIRA operating at only 70 percent of its approved workforce. This shortage means 25 districts are served by a single NIRA staff member, hindering service delivery. The NIRA Board, represented by Deputy Vice Chairperson Benny Namugwanya Bugembe, requested government assistance for a permanent headquarters, district offices, filling board vacancies, and additional funding for staffing.

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We look forward to benefiting from your wealth of experience in governance and academia as we continue to advance NIRA's mandate.

Lt. Gen. Musanyufu commended NIRA for its recent Mass Enrolment and Renewal Exercise, which updated the national voters' register. Minister Kamuntu urged NIRA to enhance customer service through technology and remain vigilant against cybersecurity threats, reiterating that accurate citizen identification is fundamental to national security.

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Having accurate records is the beginning of security.