Kampala, Uganda | By Michael Wandati | Mr. Simon Mundeyi, spokesperson for the Ministry of Internal Affairs, has announced that Ugandan citizens with expired National IDs can continue to use them for travel across East Africa and for business transactions.
Mr. Mundeyi made this statement during the weekly security briefing in Naguru on Monday 29, July 2024.
Concerns had recently arisen among Ugandans regarding the status of National IDs that would expire before the upcoming mass registration and renewal process. Many took to social media to question whether expired National IDs would still be valid for travel or transactions within East Africa.
In his address, Mr. Mundeyi clarified that Ugandans can use their expired National IDs for travel to East African countries and for transactions, thanks to a tripartite agreement with these nations.
“Some of these countries like Kenya and Rwanda specifically, we have a tripartite agreement to allow the citizens of these countries to travel to each other’s country using the National ID. There has been confusion recently especially for those who are carrying expired National IDs,” Mr. Mundeyi said.
“People have been wondering on social media are they going to be disturbed in terms of travel with an expired National ID? The answer is no! That National ID you carry has a NIN. A NIN does not expire and it is the most important feature on that National ID. So, you will continue to transact all businesses even with that expired National ID,” he added.
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In addition to travel, Mr. Mundeyi noted that Ugandans can still use expired National IDs to process passports or open bank accounts.
Some National IDs are set to expire starting in August 2024.
Last month, the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) announced that it would begin a nationwide mass registration and renewal process at the end of July. NIRA Executive Director Rosemary Kisembo informed journalists that the exercise, initially scheduled to start on June 1, had been postponed due to unforeseen circumstances.
“The mass enrollment and renewal exercise was set to start on June, 1, 2024 but due to unforeseen delays in the procurement process, the exercise didn’t take off. Nevertheless, by the end of July, 2024, the exercise will commence,” Kisembo said.
