By Mike Rwothomio

The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) Zombo Branch has received 18,600 renewed National Identity Cards (IDs) from NIRA Headquarters, marking a significant achievement in the ongoing Mass Enrollment and Renewal Exercise for National Identification Numbers (NINs) and National IDs.

Launched in May 2025, this nationwide initiative aims to renew 15.8 million expired National IDs and register 17.2 million new citizens, totaling 33 million Ugandans.

In Zombo District, the exercise has recorded strong participation, with over 140,000 citizens registered in the initial weeks, driven by robust sensitization and mobilization efforts by NIRA officials and local leaders in a district with a population exceeding 300,000.

Mr. Jimmy Uromcamu, the District Registration Officer for NIRA’s Zombo Branch, confirmed the receipt of the 18,600 renewed National IDs during a press conference at NIRA’s offices in Paidha Town Council along Ofaka Road on Wed, Oct 15, 2025.He commended citizens for completing their renewals, first-time registrations, and acquiring NINs for children.

Officials arrange the IDs for issuance.

Uromcamu noted that notable figures, including former State Minister for Okoro County, Eng. Simon D’ujanga, and Zombo’s NRM party chairperson, Ms. Grace Thorach, are among those who have collected their renewed National IDs, alongside other residents.

He encouraged citizens to visit NIRA’s Paidha office to collect their cards, stating, “We have 18,600 National IDs ready for issuance. If you completed your renewal early, please visit our office in Paidha Town Council.”

He added that while no immediate outreach to remote sub-counties is planned, NIRA intends to extend services to these areas, as the renewed IDs cover all sub-counties in the district.

With the exercise scheduled to conclude in early November 2025, NIRA’s Zombo Branch urged citizens yet to register or renew their National IDs to do so promptly to avoid future inconveniences.

The National Identification Register currently captures biometric and biographic data for 27.7 million Ugandans, including those with recently expired cards.

National IDs are issued to citizens aged 16 and above, with a NIN assigned to all registrants, aligning with NIRA’s mandate to maintain a secure, credible, and up-to-date National Identification Register to support Uganda’s national security and socio-economic development objectives.

Zombo’s Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Mr. Festus Ayikobua, previously praised citizens’ participation and called for intensified mobilization to ensure comprehensive registration.

Mr. Jimmy Uromcamu, the District Registration Officer for NIRA’s Zombo Branch, issued a renewed national ID to a recipient at NIRA's offices along Ofaka Road in Paidha Town Council On Wednesday, October 15, 2025.

The Mass Enrollment and Renewal Exercise, approved by the Cabinet in August 2022, addresses the expiration of 15.8 million National IDs issued between 2014 and 2015, which expired in August 2025.

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