Kampala – Ugandan travelers heading to Kenya and Rwanda are facing challenges with their National IDs, despite a one-year extension on the ID’s validity. The issue arises when travelers with expired IDs try to cross the border, only to be turned away or forced to pay additional fees.
To avoid these issues, the Ministry of Internal Affairs suggests using passports instead.
“Alternatively, those without passports can obtain a Certificate of Identity, available at inland borders and offices nationwide for only 40,000 shillings,” Simon Mundeyi the ministry of internal affairs spokesperson told journalists in Kampala on Monday.
He noted the Certificate of Identity allows travel to East Africa and COMESA member countries, and can be obtained by presenting a copy of your National ID or proof of Ugandan citizenship.
The Ministry urges Ugandans to participate in the upcoming national ID mass renewal and registration exercise, as most National IDs issued in 2014 have expired, and renewal is essential to avoid travel disruptions.
“As you’re aware, the Minister of Internal Affairs extended the validity of national IDs by one year. We now urge all citizens to take advantage of this period to visit NIRA and renew their national IDs,” said Mundeyi
The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) announced in August that approximately 15.8 million IDs are set to expire by August 2025.
Initially, NIRA planned a mass registration and renewal exercise from June 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025. However, the exercise was postponed twice, first to July 2024 and then indefinitely, due to unforeseen circumstances.