Uganda: National ID At Heart of Uganda's Future, Kamuntu Says As Identity Expo Opens

The Minister of Internal Affairs, Prof. Ephraim Kamuntu, has described the national identification system as a cornerstone of Uganda's development, saying accurate identification of citizens is essential for effective planning and service delivery.

Speaking on Tuesday at the opening of the My Identity Expo and Symposium 2026 at Kololo Airstrip, Kamuntu said the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has become increasingly important to Uganda's governance and socio-economic development.

"NIRA plays a significant role in the identification of Ugandans. Citizen identification is very important in many aspects. Unless you have accurate population data, the country cannot plan effectively, and it is NIRA that can do that better," Kamuntu said.

The three-day expo brings together government agencies, development partners, technology experts and members of the public to discuss the role of identity systems in strengthening governance, improving access to services and supporting national development.

Kamuntu also raised the continuing questions surrounding citizenship and national identity, despite Uganda marking a century since the establishment of its present-day boundaries.

"We are celebrating 100 years since the boundaries of Uganda were formed, but we still have unresolved questions about who is a Ugandan," he said.

He said the national identification system is now central to several aspects of Uganda's socio-economic life, including access to government services, financial inclusion, security and national planning.

"The National ID is now at the center of Uganda's ecosystem," Kamuntu said before officially declaring the symposium open.

The My Identity Expo and Symposium 2026 will run for three days, featuring exhibitions, panel discussions and public engagements focused on identity management and registration.

The event is expected to bring together stakeholders to explore innovations and strategies for strengthening Uganda's national identification system and improving service delivery.

Read the original article on Nile Post.