Mubaje applauds biometric innovations in national ID drive

The Mufti of Uganda, Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubajje has expressed appreciation for the ongoing mass renewal and enrollment campaigns, describing them as “a critical step in Uganda’s journey toward ensuring legal identity for all.”

Following his own successful National ID renewal, which he revealed took less than six minutes after presenting his pre-registration application ID, the Mufti commended the efficiency and precision of the digital system deployed by the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA).

He singled out the pre-registration portal as a key innovation, allowing citizens to complete part of the process online before visiting a registration center. “This is the kind of innovation Uganda needs,” he remarked.

The exercise targets the renewal of 15.8 million cards that are expiring this month while 17.2 million more citizens will be registered.

The Mufti also commended the biometric upgrades, which include iris scans, fingerprint capture, and digital signatures, calling them “a robust safeguard against identity forgery and impersonation.”

“I appeal to all Ugandans, of all ages and regardless of religious affiliation, to actively participate in the mass enrollment and renewal exercise,” he said, adding, “Legal identity is not just a requirement — it is a right, and this system makes it easier and more secure to claim that right.”

The mass registration campaign is being implemented at the parish level from Monday to Saturday, with special provisions in place for vulnerable groups such as the elderly, persons with disabilities, and expectant mothers.

The Mufti encouraged leaders at all levels, religious, civic, and community, to mobilize the public and ensure no one is left behind in this digitally transformed identity exercise.