Corruption and Extortion in National ID Registration Process
During the ongoing National ID registration and renewal exercise, at least 11 individuals have been arrested for involvement in corruption-related offenses. This initiative has benefited over nine million people within four months, according to the Minister of State for Internal Affairs, David Muhoozi.
In a statement presented to Parliament on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, Muhoozi addressed the issue of extortion during the National ID registration process. He revealed that the arrested suspects include temporary registration assistants, four staff members from the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA), and brokers who impersonated NIRA officials to extort money from the public.
Muhoozi expressed concern over the rising number of complaints regarding extortion, corruption, and bribery at service centers. These issues are being perpetuated by imposters, NIRA registration assistants, and other personnel involved in the process. The minister outlined several corrupt practices reported at registration centers, such as the sale of free registration forms, soliciting bribes to skip queues, and demanding money at various stages of the registration process.
The districts most affected by these malpractices include Mubende, Mityana, Mukono, Wakiso, Busia, Kyotera, and Abim. In Mubende District alone, four temporary registration assistants were arrested, remanded, and had their contracts terminated. In Kyotera district, a case was cited involving a NIRA staff member, a businesswoman, and a medical worker suspected of colluding to defraud members of the public.
The minister also condemned the actions of brokers and middlemen who impersonate NIRA employees and collect bribes from unsuspecting citizens. He further noted that in some cases, even local leaders were implicated in soliciting money under false pretenses.
To address these issues, the government has taken several measures. Free online registration forms have been issued, a pre-registration portal has been opened to ease congestion at centers, and toll-free hotlines and email contacts have been established for public reporting. Additionally, NIRA has distributed uniforms and ID cards to help citizens identify its legitimate staff.
Muhoozi emphasized that the process of enrollment and renewal of National IDs is free of charge. He urged all Ugandans to stay alert, resist corruption, and report any suspicious activity.
Since the start of the exercise in May, more than 9.1 million people have already applied for either registration or renewal of their National IDs.
Challenges in Remote Communities
Members of Parliament raised concerns about the challenges facing the exercise, particularly in remote and island communities. Kalangala District Woman MP, Helen Nakimuli, highlighted that extortion in island communities is fueled by logistical constraints. She explained that people have to travel from one island to another to access registration services, and officers claim they have not been given facilitation to move between islands.
Similarly, Amuru District Woman MP, Lucy Akello, mentioned that long distances from registration centers to residences are creating opportunities for bribery. She shared an experience in Okidi, Atiak sub-county, where she was requested to help hire a generator so that NIRA staff could go closer to people to register them, especially the elderly. She noted that these communities are poorly facilitated.
These challenges underscore the need for continued efforts to ensure the integrity and accessibility of the National ID registration and renewal process across all regions of the country.