Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa has called for easier access to National ID collection services after personally picking up his newly issued card from the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) headquarters. His remarks come at a time when the National ID is becoming increasingly vital for accessing government programs, financial services, and upcoming national exercises, including elections.

After receiving a notification that his ID was ready, Tayebwa visited NIRA and praised the improvements made to the redesigned card, saying “The new ID looks much better compared to the old one.” He also commended the authority’s efforts to speed up issuance, noting,

“I commend NIRA for the great work it is doing to deliver IDs quickly.”

Despite the progress, Tayebwa stressed that many Ugandans still struggle to collect their IDs due to long travel distances and associated costs. He urged NIRA to decentralize collection points to the parish level, explaining that such a move would “help reduce the costs and inconvenience people face when traveling long distances to pick up their IDs, which often discourages them.”

Tayebwa encouraged citizens not to delay in picking up their IDs, reminding them that the document is increasingly critical for public service access. “I would like to encourage all Ugandans to collect your IDs because an ID is a gateway to accessing government services,” he said.

He also raised concern over the large number of unregistered children nationwide. According to NIRA’s Executive Director, about 13 million children have not yet been registered. Tayebwa urged parents to take action, warning, “In the coming years, without an ID, it will be difficult to access government services.”

The Deputy Speaker’s call reinforces the national push for a more inclusive, accessible identification system, one that supports both the country’s digital transformation and the rights of every citizen to access essential services.