By Mike Rwothomio

The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) Zombo branch has successfully registered approximately 140,000 individuals, marking significant progress in the ongoing mass enrollment and renewal exercise for National Identification Numbers (NINs) and National Identity Cards.

This figure includes newly registered citizens across all age groups, including children and adults, as well as those renewing their National Identity Cards.

With Zombo’s population exceeding 300,000, this achievement reflects a positive response and proactive participation by citizens in registering with NIRA.

Jimmy Uromcamu, the District Registration Officer for NIRA’s Zombo branch, confirmed the milestone during a press briefing at the NIRA offices in Paidha Town Council on Wednesday, September 24, 2025. 

He noted that the 140,000 registered individuals span 14 of the district’s 15 lower local government units, with the exercise yet to commence in Warr Sub-County.

“The exercise covers first-time registrations, renewals, children, adults, and all age categories. We are not limiting any Ugandan citizen,” Uromcamu stated, adding, “In 14 sub-counties, excluding Warr, we have captured approximately 140,000 people.”

NIRA launched the nationwide mass enrollment and renewal exercise in May 2025, targeting the renewal of 15.8 million expired National Identity Cards by August 2025 and the registration of 17.2 million new citizens, totaling 33 million Ugandans.

NIRA’s National Identification Register currently holds biometric and biographic data for 27.7 million Ugandans, including those with recently expired cards.

In Zombo, which borders the Democratic Republic of Congo, concerns have been raised about local leaders allegedly facilitating the registration of non-citizens, particularly Congolese nationals.

Uromcamu emphasized that stringent verification mechanisms, involving Local Council (LC) officials and Gombolola Internal Security Officers (GISOs) at the sub-county level, ensure only Ugandan citizens are registered. 

“If LCs and GISOs do not verify and sign your forms, we do not register you,” he clarified, urging citizens to continue participating as the exercise remains ongoing.

Festus Ayikobua, Zombo’s Resident District Commissioner, commended citizens for their enthusiastic participation and urged local leaders to intensify mobilization efforts to ensure comprehensive registration.

“National Identity Cards are fundamental for accessing services and will be critical in all aspects of life,” Ayikobua said, reinforcing the importance of the exercise for national security and socio-economic development.

Ayikobua also issued a stern warning against non-citizens attempting to register, stating, “This exercise is exclusively for Ugandan citizens. Non-citizens must refrain from infiltrating the process to avoid legal consequences.”

The mass enrollment and renewal exercise was approved by the Cabinet in August 2022 to address the expiration of 15.8 million National Identity Cards, many of which were issued between 2014 and 2015 and expired in August 2025.

Jimmy Uromcamu, the District Registration Officer for NIRA’s Zombo branch.

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, National Identity Cards are issued to citizens aged 16 and above, with a NIN allocated to all new registrants.

Distribution of new and renewed cards is yet to commence.NIRA’s mandate is to maintain a secure, credible, and up-to-date National Identification Register to support Uganda’s national security and socio-economic development goals.

Mike Rwothomio is news editor at zoomer Africa your number one grassroot informations