Tayebwa Calls for Easier Access to National IDs as Niwagaba Warns Against Extortion by NIRA Officials

Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa has called on the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) to make national identity cards more accessible, especially to Ugandans living in rural areas. Tayebwa noted that many people are still forced to travel long distances to reach NIRA service points, a challenge he said undermines the purpose of the national identification exercise.

He made the remarks on Thursday during a visit to the NIRA offices in Kololo, where he had gone to pick up his own identity card. Tayebwa applauded NIRA for scaling up card distribution—so far issuing about 4 million new IDs—but urged the authority to prioritize last-mile access so that no Ugandan is left behind. NIRA has announced plans to distribute at least 1 million cards per week in the coming weeks, encouraging citizens to collect their cards, which they say are a “game-changer” and essential for accessing government services.

While Tayebwa pushed for greater accessibility, another legislator, Ndorwa East MP Hon. Wilfred Niwagaba, addressed a separate challenge facing the national ID exercise: extortion.

During his re-election campaigns in Kirire, Ahakasikano, Nyakahita, and Kabungo in Katenga Parish, Kaharo Sub-county, Niwagaba condemned reports that some NIRA officials were charging residents between Shs6,000 and Shs10,000 for services that are legally free. He described the alleged extortion as both illegal and exploitative, particularly for rural citizens who already struggle with limited access to government services.

“The National ID registration exercise is a free government service. Anyone demanding money from you is breaking the law and will be held accountable,” Niwagaba stressed, urging residents to immediately report such officials to authorities.

The legislator assured his constituents that he remains committed to championing transparency, accountability, and improved service delivery. He further vowed to push for reforms that will make NIRA more efficient and more accessible—echoing the growing national call for better management of essential citizen services.