Internal Affairs Minister Ephraim Kamuntu Pledges Support to Strengthen NIRA’s Identification and Civil Registration Services

The Minister of Internal Affairs, Hon. Ephraim Kamuntu, has pledged government support to strengthen the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA), describing accurate identification and civil registration as essential pillars for Uganda’s security, governance and national development.

Minister Kamuntu made the commitment during a familiarisation visit to NIRA headquarters in Kampala, where he was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Lt. Gen. Joseph Musanyufu.

The minister and his delegation were received by the NIRA Board, Executive Director Rosemary Kisembo and senior staff before touring the Authority’s facilities and interacting with officials responsible for delivering identification and civil registration services.

During the visit, Kamuntu engaged with citizens seeking services at NIRA offices, allowing him to receive direct feedback on public experiences and challenges in accessing services.

He said the interaction provided important insights into areas where government support can be directed to improve efficiency and customer satisfaction.

“Knowing and registering citizens is critical for the security and transformation of the country,” Kamuntu said, emphasizing the importance of reliable national identification systems in maintaining peace, fighting crime and supporting development planning.

He added that accurate records form the foundation of national security.

“Having accurate records is the beginning of security,” he noted.

NIRA’s Role in National Development

The visit comes as NIRA continues to consolidate achievements from the recent Mass Enrolment and Renewal Exercise, which expanded access to national identification services and supported the preparation of Uganda’s national voters’ register.

The Authority is currently responsible for maintaining the National Identification Register, issuing National Identification Numbers (NINs), producing national identity cards and facilitating birth and death registration services across the country.

NIRA Executive Director Rosemary Kisembo welcomed the minister’s visit, saying the Authority looked forward to benefiting from his experience in governance and academia as it continues implementing its mandate.

“We look forward to benefiting from your wealth of experience from governance and academia as we continue to advance NIRA’s mandate,” Kisembo said.

She revealed that NIRA currently maintains records of more than 35 million Ugandans, representing over 73 percent of the country’s population.

Kisembo explained that the Authority has expanded its registration coverage from 117 locations in 2016 to operations in 135 districts, supported by investment in new systems and equipment.

Staffing and Infrastructure Challenges

Despite the progress made, NIRA highlighted several challenges affecting service delivery, including staffing gaps and inadequate infrastructure.

Kisembo said staffing remains one of the Authority’s biggest challenges, with NIRA currently employing 418 staff, representing about 70 percent of its approved staffing structure.

She noted that some districts continue to operate with limited manpower, with 25 districts having only one NIRA staff member responsible for service delivery.

The NIRA Board also appealed for government support to address institutional challenges, including the construction of a permanent headquarters, establishment of district offices, filling vacant positions on the Board and increasing wage funding to recruit more staff.

Representing the NIRA Board Chairperson, Deputy Vice Chairperson Hon. Benny Namugwanya Bugembe said the Authority was created to establish and manage the National Identification Register and had made significant progress since its formation.

She noted that registration coverage had increased from about 50 percent at the establishment of NIRA to more than 73 percent currently. Namugwanya said securing a permanent home for NIRA has remained a recurring issue in national budget discussions and called for support to resolve the matter.

“We look forward to your support as we advance our mandate,” she said.

Musanyufu Commends NIRA Progress

Permanent Secretary Lt. Gen. Joseph Musanyufu described NIRA as an important institution within the Ministry of Internal Affairs, noting that he had been involved with the Authority since its establishment.

He congratulated NIRA management and staff for successfully completing the Mass Enrolment and Renewal Exercise, saying the process contributed significantly to updating national records and supporting electoral preparations.

Musanyufu said the exercise demonstrated the importance of a strong identification system in national planning and governance.

Technology and Cybersecurity Concerns

Minister Kamuntu commended NIRA for its achievements but urged the Authority to continue improving service delivery by embracing technology and prioritising customer satisfaction.

He also highlighted emerging cybersecurity risks associated with digital identification systems, calling for increased vigilance as Uganda modernises its identification infrastructure.

The minister said protecting national identification data must remain a priority to ensure public trust and safeguard citizens’ information.

He expressed confidence that Uganda’s goal of becoming a safer and more secure country can be achieved, with NIRA playing a central role through accurate registration and identification of citizens.

The visit marks the beginning of strengthened cooperation between the Ministry of Internal Affairs and NIRA as both institutions work towards improving national identification systems, expanding civil registration services and ensuring all eligible Ugandans have access to reliable identification documents.