The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has officially launched a new online pre-registration portal, giving Ugandans a convenient way to start the National ID registration or renewal process from anywhere with internet access.
Whether you’re applying for the first time or renewing an expired ID, the self-service portal is now live on the NIRA website and allows users to fill in their details ahead of visiting a NIRA center for biometric capture — including iris scans.
NIRA encourages applicants to use computers over phones for smoother access. Once online pre-registration is complete, users receive a unique application ID to present at the nearest NIRA office for the next steps.
Priority & Deadlines
This new system is part of the national effort to renew all expired National IDs by August 12, 2025, the deadline for the current extension that allows expired cards to remain valid.
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Priority will go to citizens whose IDs are expiring in June 2025.
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Mass registration for the public officially opens May 27, 2025.
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NIRA aims to reduce processing times from four weeks to two weeks after the initial demand surge.
Fees & Requirements
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Lost ID replacement: Shs 50,000 (requires a police letter or expired card).
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Corrections/Changes: Shs 200,000, with documentation.
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Children under 18: Register for free with a parent’s or close relative’s ID.
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Adults registering for the first time must provide a photocopy of a parent’s ID and a letter from local leaders or a citizenship certificate.
All document requirements and portal access links are available on the official NIRA website.
To support the massive undertaking:
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5,665 biometric kits were delivered by January 2025 and distributed in February.
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Two high-speed ID printers arrived in March — each capable of printing up to 100,000 laser-engraved cards daily.
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A full data center upgrade with new servers and communication tools was completed between October 2024 and January 2025.
The government hopes this digital shift will ease long queues and speed up access to national documentation, especially as Uganda ramps up for a busy second half of 2025.
