National Identification and Registration Authority has defended the pace of issuing new biometric national ID cards, with Registrar Claire Ollama attributing delays to staffing challenges while assuring the public that over 70,000 cards have already been issued and that every eligible Ugandan will receive their ID.

Following an intensive mass registration and renewal exercise that lasted nearly eight months, the National Identification and Registration Authority began rolling out and dispatching newly designed high-security biometric ID cards for collection in October 2025.

However, despite the completion of the exercise, concerns have emerged from the public over delays in receiving the cards, raising questions about the efficiency of the process.

Addressing the media during the weekly briefing at Uganda Police Force, Registrar Claire Ollama explained that the slow pace is largely due to understaffing, which has affected processing and distribution timelines.

Ollama pushed back against criticism that the Authority is not doing enough, noting that significant progress has been made, with more than 70,000 cards already issued across various centres. She added that increased resources would further accelerate the process.

She also addressed concerns surrounding temporary staff recruited during the exercise, clarifying that they were entitled to allowances rather than formal salaries, and dismissed claims of non-payment or unfair compensation.

On allegations of underutilised registration kits, Ollama dismissed the claims, emphasising that all equipment was fully deployed and that data captured is secure and verifiable.

She reaffirmed NIRA’s commitment to transparency and accountability, assuring Ugandans that the Authority remains focused on ensuring every eligible citizen receives their national identification card.