The National Identification Registration Authority (NIRA) has asked Ugandans to register for birth certificates one of the crucial documents for Ugandans.

"The state reserves all rights to register all births in the country and this function was assigned to NIRA. We have a new system and new birth certificates. It would be prudent for every Ugandan to have it," said Osborne Mushabe, the NIRA public relations manager.

Mushabe explained that to apply for a birth certificate, one must have a national identification number and that for children without national IDs, they must use national identification numbers for their parents.

According to Mushabe, a birth certificate is useful to help government know the number of people that have been given birth to in the country and accordingly plan for them.

"A birth certificate is helpful in registration since it is a requirement for one to register for a national ID. Birth certificates are a requirement presented for all Uganda National Examination Board registrations."

The NIRA public relations manager said Article 18 of the 1995 constitution gives the state powers to register births and deaths whereas sections 28,29 and 39 of the Registration of Persons Act emphasizes compulsory birth registration.

He said in the same manner, NIRA issues death certificates which help in ascertaining the number of people who have died in a particular period.

According to Mushabe, all these services are offered at all the NIRA district offices around the country and go for shs5000.