KAMPALA- The Minister of State for Internal Affairs, Gen David Rubakuba Muhoozi has revealed that the mass renewal of National identification cards is expected to start in May 2025.
Gen Muhoozi said this yesterday as he responded to the report of the Committee on Defence and Internal Affairs on the Ministerial policy statement and budget estimates for 2025/2026 financial year which was presented by Committee Chairperson, Hon Wilson Kajwengye.
“The plan is to pilot on government employees starting with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the National Identification Registration Authority (NIRA),” Minister Muhoozi said.
Gen Muhoozi said that the equipment and software needed for the exercise have all been tested and are ready for use adding that he will provide a comprehensive report on the renewal and registration for national IDs.
The Mnister’s update followed concerns by Kigulu County South Member of Parliament Hon Milton Muwuma who called for renewal of the IDs as the country prepares for general elections in 2026 saying that they will soon be going for nominations, but some of them have expired IDs and this alone can disqualify some of them.
He was supported by Budadiri County East Member of Parliament Hon Isaiah Sasaga who inquired about the fate of primary and secondary school learners who were registered for IDs and are due for issuance but have not yet received them.
“Are the children going to be part of the new registration process or will they be issued old IDs,” Hon Sasaga asked.
However Minister Muhoozi said that such learners will have the option of either choosing to be issued old IDs or the new ones which have enhanced features.
According to the committee’s report, government requires Ugx 145 billion to procure blank IDs to enroll over 6 million Ugandans and renew over 6 million national IDs but only Ugx 24.5 billion has been allocated in the next financial year.
“The committee recommends a provision of Shs120.7 billion in the 2025/2026 budget to enable NIRA complete the enrollment exercise before the 2026 general elections,” Kajwengye said.
The committee also recommended that Ugx 587 billion be provided for the nationwide rollout of the Sub-county Policing model after the Uganda Police Force tested the model in Greater Masaka in the 2023/24 financial year.
Over Ugx 5 billion has been allocated for constructing 30 model Police stations and completing 11 in the Greater Masaka area, procurement of 333 motorcycles and communication equipment, the committee report however, noted that there is a funding gap of Ugx 587 billion.
Luwero District Woman Member of Parliament, Hon Brenda Nabukenya welcomed the proposal to roll out the Sub-county Policing model and called for its prioritization.
“I want to support the area where they are going to procure two motorcycles for each sub county police station. Fuel for the motorcycles should also be prioritized. Usually, we limit them because we do not provide money for fuel,” Hon Nabukenya said.
Buyanja East County Member of Parliament Hon Emily Kugonza said that whereas the Sub-county Policing model is agois innovative, but it is not well planned because there are no Police Posts and accommodation for the officers.
“I am appealing to government to do thorough planning; we need the police officers spread across but they need to be catered for otherwise, they will turn into a menace,” Kugonza said.
The Members of Parliament also called for provision of sufficient transport means to the existing Police Stations saying that the work of the officers is hindered by lack of transport.
Kassanda County South Member of Parliament Hon Frank Kabuye highlighted the plight of the officers citing that Kassanda District which has only one vehicle for emergency responses.
“It is high time we prioritise giving means of transport but also ensure that there are funds for maintenance of the vehicles and motorcycles,” he said.
However, Minister Muhoozi said that government plans to introduce electric motorcycles to address the challenge of inadequate fuel.
