The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) was established by the Registration of Persons Act (ROPA), 2015 and is mandated to establish and maintain the National Identification Register (NIR). The Authority is also charged with among others; the registration of citizens and legally resident aliens; assigning National Identification / Alien Identification Numbers (NINs/AINS) to qualifying persons and issuing Identification Cards to those 16 years and above; registration of births, deaths and adoption orders and issuance of the relevant certificates.

Section 66 of the Registration of Persons Act, 2015 makes possession of a National Identification Card or National Identification Number (NIN) a mandatory requirement for persons to access public services.

The first release of National Identification Cards in Uganda was issued in 2014 with validity of ten (10) years.

NIRA intends to conduct a mass renewal and mass enrolment exercise for all expired cards and unregistered citizens.

Ugandan nationals living and working in the United Arab Emirates will at the opportune time be advised on how to register for National IDs at the Embassy.