Low awareness, corruption threaten mass ID registration in Kabale
Brig. Gen. Stephen Kwiringira, Director of Registration and Operations at NIRA, addresses the Kabale District Coordination Committee on June 13, 2025. PHOTO/OBED KANKIRIHO.
What you need to know:
- "NIRA has received reports of corruption and unethical behavior during the mass enrollment and renewal process. These actions compromise the integrity of our operations and erode public trust, posing a serious threat to the success of the program," Brig. Gen. Kwiringira
The ongoing national mass ID enrolment and renewal exercise is facing major setbacks in Kabale District due to low public awareness and sensitisation, according to the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA).
Brig. Gen. Stephen Kwiringira, the Director of Registration and Operations at NIRA, made the admission during a meeting with the Kabale District Coordination Committee on June 13.
"Despite our 10 years of experience at NIRA and the progress we’ve made over time, the issue of publicity remains a major concern, as rightly pointed out by the RDC," Brig. Gen. Kwiringira said.
He was responding to concerns raised by Kabale Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Mr Godfrey Nyakahuma, and Greater Kabale NIRA Registrar, Mr Billy Basulwa, who cited the low public turnout for the exercise.
Brig. Gen. Kwiringira also raised the alarm over emerging cases of corruption and unethical conduct by officials involved in the registration exercise.
"NIRA has received reports of corruption and unethical behavior during the mass enrollment and renewal process. These actions compromise the integrity of our operations and erode public trust, posing a serious threat to the success of the program," he said.
He pointed to logistical challenges, especially in remote and hard-to-reach areas, and delays in community mobilisation as key hurdles hampering the exercise.
“These challenges demand collective attention and a steadfast commitment. I urge the public to work closely with district registration officers to enhance coordination and improve the effectiveness of the exercise,” he said.
Brig. Gen. Kwiringira also called on members of the District Coordination Committee to uphold transparency and accountability and to take swift action against any irregularities.
Mr Billy Basulwa appealed for more support from NIRA’s Public Relations Office to increase public sensitisation, particularly in rural sub-counties.
“I thank the RDC for securing radio talk show airtime to help with public awareness, but it’s not frequent enough. We humbly request additional support. In some areas, people don’t even have access to radios. Using motorcycles with public address systems would be more effective,” he suggested.
He added: “People are hungry for information. Even when we use radio, some miss the broadcasts due to other commitments. This gap in communication is negatively affecting the exercise.”
RDC Nyakahuma echoed the need for broader stakeholder involvement, especially political, religious, and cultural leaders at the sub-county level.
“If we don’t involve these leaders, they won’t feel responsible for pushing this exercise forward. A religious leader who is sensitized and included in the program is far more likely to encourage participation among their followers,” he noted.
He emphasized that while media outreach plays a role, it cannot replace the grassroots mobilization power of trusted local figures.
“Today, no one can access key government programs like the Parish Development Model (PDM) without presenting their National Identification Number (NIN). These leaders must be fully brought on board if we want full public engagement,” Mr Nyakahuma stated.
