Residents want ID services at sub-counties, offer to facilitate NIRA’s operation

What the report says

Residents in Kitgum District, northern Uganda, are urging the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) to decentralise ID-related services to sub-counties so people do not have to travel long distances to collect national identity documents. According to The Independent Uganda, the appeal was made by residents in places including Lagoro and Orom sub-counties, who said trips to Kitgum Municipality are expensive and especially difficult for people in remote areas, older residents and those with limited incomes.

The article quotes community members and local leaders saying the current system can require repeated travel of more than 30 kilometres, adding transport costs when services are not completed in one visit. One local leader said residents in Lagoro had discussed contributing a small amount per person to help facilitate NIRA officials reaching the sub-county. The idea was presented as a practical way to reduce the burden on households while improving access to identification documents.

Kitgum’s Chief Administrative Officer, Habib Abubakar, said the district would raise the matter with the relevant authorities and explore whether trusted local structures could assist with distribution or collection of IDs. The report also notes broader concerns about uncollected national identity cards, citing NIRA figures that about 5.4 million newly printed cards remain unclaimed nationwide. The story says NIRA Executive Director Rosemary Kisembo has previously linked the backlog to staffing shortages, during an appearance before Parliament’s COSASE committee.