Long Queues, Confusing Collection Points & New Cards That Can’t Be Read
Ugandans are facing significant logistical challenges and long queues while attempting to collect new national identity cards. An audit of the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) reveals systemic failures, including funding gaps and poor planning.
Why it matters
The failure of a national identification system impacts citizens' ability to conduct financial and legal transactions, reflecting broader governance issues.
Ugandans are lining up across the country to collect new national identity cards, with the exercise turning into a nightmare of long queues, confusing collection points and citizens being sent from one district to another in search of their IDs.
Citizens who registered in Wakiso District say they are being forced to move from one collection centre to another, with some being directed to Kira, Nansana, Makindye-Ssabagabo, Entebbe and other areas to collect their cards.
The queues, according to frustrated citizens, are stretching for hours and, in some places, resemble the River Nile.
And now, with thousands of Ugandans rushing to collect renewed national IDs, the question being asked is simple: why can’t NIRA decentralise collection to parish level?
The pressure has been made worse by the fact that many old national IDs expired around the same period.
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