Mpigi Residents Decry Year-Long Delays in Getting National IDs

What the report says

Residents in Mpigi District, Uganda, are complaining about long delays in receiving National Identification Cards, saying the wait has stretched beyond a year for some applicants and is costing them transport money, work time and other expenses. The concerns were reported by Nile Post as people gathered at a NIRA service point moved to Mpigi Town Council offices to reduce congestion and bring services closer to the public.

According to the article, the National Identification and Registration Authority is still handling registration, renewals and distribution of cards, including some that had already been processed. But residents said repeated visits to the centre have not solved the problem. Many described long queues, waiting in the sun and being told to return later after each follow-up.

Some applicants said the delays have affected major parts of their lives, including work, farming and family responsibilities. One woman told Nile Post she registered in April 2025 and was still waiting after giving birth. Others said they had repeatedly left jobs and businesses in Kampala and Mpigi to check on their cards. Residents also said the process seemed uneven, with some newer applicants receiving cards faster than people who registered earlier.

They asked the government and NIRA to look into possible technical problems, improve the system and clear the backlog. In Uganda, the national ID is widely used to access public and private services, so continued delays can affect everyday transactions and official procedures.