The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) is working with the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) to synchronise systems and authenticate newly issued national identity cards, Health Minister Chris Baryomunsi has told Parliament.
Baryomunsi, a former Minister for ICT and National Guidance, acknowledged that the newly issued national IDs had not yet been fully activated but assured lawmakers that the process was ongoing.
He was responding to a matter of national importance raised by Jinja South Division East MP Paul Mwiru during a plenary sitting on Tuesday, October 27, 2026.
Mwiru told Parliament that he had been unable to use his new national identity card to complete a banking transaction after his account was frozen for an update. He said the bank required him to obtain a verification letter from NIRA, adding that other customers faced similar challenges.
The legislator questioned the government’s proposal to replace Tax Identification Numbers (TINs) with National Identification Numbers (NINs) for individual taxpayers, warning that difficulties in verifying newly issued IDs could complicate the transition.
State Minister for Finance in charge of Planning, Amos Lugoloobi, said adopting NINs as the primary tax identifiers for individuals would expand the tax base, eliminate duplicate registrations and improve tax administration.
Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa directed the Committee on ICT and National Guidance to ensure that the ministry addresses the authentication concerns effectively.
In a related development, Tayebwa directed the same committee to expedite investigations into unlicensed internet service providers and report back to Parliament within a week.
On October 13, 2026, UCC ordered unlicensed public Wi-Fi operators to switch off their services and dismantle their equipment within seven days, warning that routers could be seized and destroyed if operators failed to comply.
Tayebwa said he had received petitions from mobile hotspot dealers who reported continued arrests and harassment following the directive. He urged the committee to follow up on their concerns.
Committee chairperson Andrew Ojok said hearings on the matter would begin on Wednesday, October 28, 2026.
