The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has rolled out a national identification enrolment and renewal exercise targeting Ugandan citizens and personnel of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) serving in Somalia under the African Union Transition Mission (ATMIS).
The exercise, which began on October 20, 2025, forms part of NIRA’s wider nationwide campaign to renew expired National Identification Cards and register new applicants in line with the Registration of Persons Act (ROPA) 2015, which mandates NIRA to register all citizens and issue national IDs.
Speaking during the launch, AUSSOM Force Commander Lt Gen Sam Kavuma called upon Ugandans living and serving in Somalia to take full advantage of the opportunity.
“I encourage every Ugandan here to come forward and renew their National ID. It is a vital document that connects you to your country,” Lt Gen Kavuma said.
His message was echoed by Brig Gen Joseph Musoke Ssemwanga, the Commander of Sector One in Somalia, who commended NIRA and the UPDF leadership for extending the exercise to mission areas.
“We appreciate this initiative that ensures no Ugandan is left out, even those serving beyond our borders. I urge all our troops to renew their National IDs promptly so they can continue enjoying the benefits tied to the identification system, including verification for voting eligibility,” Brig Gen Ssemwanga said.
According to Colonel Richard Kukundakwe, the NIRA team leader, the mass registration and renewal campaign—which started earlier this year—targets over 15.8 million Ugandans whose IDs have expired and more than 15 million children due for first-time registration.
“This exercise is vital for national planning, security, and service delivery. We are ensuring that Special Interest Groups, including UPDF members, are not left behind,” Col Kukundakwe explained.
He added that the registration drive for UPDF personnel and civilians stationed abroad is being carried out through a secure, targeted outreach approach to ensure every Ugandan is included, particularly those serving under regional peacekeeping and security operations.
The twelve-day exercise is expected to cover more than 10,000 Ugandan citizens, both military and civilian, currently based in Somalia.