The first batch of digital national IDs is set to expire in 2024 and government is currently in the process of updating identity cards to improve their features.
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The minister of internal affairs, Major General Kahinda Otaffire, said that for those who have IDs the government is going to update them, while those who don’t have them, will be provided with new identity cards. This is the registration that will begin in 2023, and the new digital National IDs will be issued in 2024.
These digital National IDs will be electronic with new variables. The national identification number or NIN, as well as biodata, will not change. “But, I can assure you that there will be improvements including possibly DNA and iris scan data.” Major General Kahinda Otaffire explained.
The minister also explained why National IDs have an expiry date. He said that this was necessary as identity cards are issued for a life span of ten years hoping that within those years, there will be technological advancements and innovations and new and need for you features appearing on the new digital national IDs.
The government is planning to spend between five hundred billion (UGX 500 billion) to UGX 600 billion on this process. According to the government, the national IDs are free of charge for all Ugandans but those needing an Express service will be asked to pay fifty thousand Shillings (UGX 50,000). These new digital national IDs will be accessible online without the need for long queues as the case is currently.
