NIRA Rolls Out National ID Renewal Drive For Ugandans And UPDF Troops In Somalia

The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has launched a national identification enrolment and renewal exercise for Ugandan citizens and Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) personnel operating in Somalia.

The exercise, which commenced on 20 October 2025, is part of NIRA’s broader nationwide programme to renew expired National Identification Cards and register new applicants in accordance with the Registration of Persons Act (ROPA) 2015 provisions which mandate NIRA to register all citizens and issue national identity cards.

Among those who participated in the exercise was the AUSSOM Force Commander, Lt Gen Sam Kavuma, who urged all Ugandan citizens working or serving in Somalia to take advantage of the ongoing exercise.

“I encourage every Ugandan here to come forward and renew their National ID. It is a vital document that connects you to your country,” he said.

Brig Gen Joseph Musoke Ssemwanga, the Commander of Sector One in Somalia, applauded NIRA and the UPDF leadership for considering troops serving in mission areas.

He urged the troops to renew their National IDs promptly to continue enjoying the many benefits tied to the identification system, including verification of voting eligibility, particularly for those set to rotate back to Uganda during the election period.

According to Colonel Richard Kukundakwe, the team leader, the ongoing mass registration and renewal campaign, which began earlier this year, targets over 15.8 million Ugandans with IDs due for renewal, as well as more than 15 million children requiring first-time registration. He noted that the exercise is crucial for national planning, security, and service delivery.

Col Kukundakwe emphasised that Special Interest Groups (SIGs), including members of the UPDF, are equally entitled to register, renew, and obtain National IDs like any other Ugandans.

He added that for UPDF personnel and civilians stationed outside Uganda, particularly those contributing to regional peacekeeping and security operations under multilateral mandates, the renewal exercise is being conducted through a secure, targeted outreach approach to guarantee inclusion.

The exercise will run for twelve days and is expected to cover more than 10,000 Ugandan citizens, both military and civilian, currently in Somalia.