Minister for Internal Affairs Ephraim Kamuntu underscored the foundational role of legal identity in Uganda’s national security, public service access, and socioeconomic progress during the opening of the My Identity Expo and Symposium 2026. The event, hosted by the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA), coincided with Uganda’s centenary of officially defined borders, marking a pivotal moment for the nation’s identification systems. Kamuntu, addressing stakeholders at the expo, stated that accurate citizen identification is essential for government planning, resource allocation, and the delivery of social programs, including financial inclusion and electoral processes.
The minister emphasized that legal identity serves as proof of nationality, enabling citizens to access banking, education, healthcare, and travel documents. “Without registration, you cannot be recognized as a Ugandan,” he asserted, linking identity to law enforcement, border management, and economic planning. Kamuntu noted that reliable population data is crucial for initiatives like the Parish Development Model and youth livelihood programs, which depend on precise beneficiary information to function effectively.
NIRA’s progress in registering 36.2 million Ugandans—78.8% of the population—was acknowledged as significant, though the minister urged the authority to prioritize closing the remaining 21.2% gap. “This is okay, but we cannot rest,” he said, stressing the need for 100% registration to ensure equitable service delivery and governance. The event also highlighted challenges, including over 70,000 uncollected national IDs in Kamwenge and efforts to fast-track IDs for presidential hub trainees, reflecting ongoing administrative hurdles.
NIRA Vice Chairperson Benny Namugwanya reiterated the importance of identity as a human right, tied to dignity, legal recognition, and access to opportunities. She linked Uganda’s efforts to the UN Sustainable Development Goal 16.9, which aims for universal legal identity by 2030. Namugwanya called for targeted attention to marginalized groups, including children, the elderly, people with disabilities, and remote communities, who face barriers to registration. “Identity is not just a card—it’s about being recognized as a citizen and a person,” she said, advocating for public awareness to shift perceptions of ID from a bureaucratic requirement to a tool for empowerment.
The expo also addressed technological challenges, with Namugwanya stressing the need for a secure, accessible, and trusted identification system. She highlighted the importance of protecting personal data and respecting individual rights in identity management. “A reliable system is foundational for inclusive development, governance, and service delivery,” she said, noting that universal identity requires collaboration across government, civil society, and the private sector.
NIRA’s mandate extends to registering citizens and legally resident foreigners, alongside civil registration of births, deaths, and marriages. The authority aims to achieve 100% identification, a goal it described as critical for national cohesion. The event brought together government institutions, private-sector actors, and stakeholders to discuss identity’s role in Uganda’s development, underscoring its significance as both a technical and societal imperative.
The My Identity Expo and Symposium 2026 highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen Uganda’s identification infrastructure, even as challenges persist. With over 36 million registered, the nation remains committed to bridging gaps in coverage, ensuring that every citizen can access rights and opportunities through a robust legal identity framework.
The minister’s remarks and NIRA’s initiatives reflect a broader recognition that identity is not merely a bureaucratic tool but a cornerstone of national progress. As Uganda navigates its centenary, the push for universal registration underscores the interplay between governance, technology, and social equity in shaping the country’s future.
The event also drew attention to recent developments, including the approval of the National Identity Number (NIN) as a tax identification tool and the recovery of 163 national IDs from money lenders in Mpigi, illustrating the multifaceted challenges and opportunities in identity management. These efforts align with the government’s broader vision for a secure, inclusive, and data-driven society.
As NIRA continues its work, the emphasis on collaboration and public engagement remains central to achieving its goals. The expo served as a platform to reinforce the importance of identity in fostering trust, transparency, and equitable development across Uganda’s diverse population.
The culmination of the event reaffirmed the critical role of legal identity in Uganda’s trajectory, positioning it as a vital component of national security, economic growth, and social inclusion, with ongoing efforts to ensure no citizen is left behind.