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NIRA Launches Mass Disbursement of Over 10,000 National IDs in Arua City and District

17 April 2026, 8:21 pm

NIRA officials sort and distribute National IDs to residents during the mass disbursement exercise at Booma Grounds in Arua City.

By Andrew Ogwang

Arua, Uganda – The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has launched a mass disbursement of over 10,000 National IDs in Arua City and Arua District. The exercise, which started today, is being conducted at the OPM Grounds in Arua City.

Speaking to the press, Allama Claire, NIRA Communication Officer for the West Nile region, said the authority is taking the outreach to the people due to the large number of IDs that were not collected during the mass enrollment exercise last year.

“We urge the community to report anyone asking for money for National ID to our authorized officers because this service is free of charge,” Claire said. She added that people should come to pick their National IDs whether they have received a message or not.

NIRA West Nile Communication Officer Allama Claire addressing the media during the mass National ID distribution at Booma Grounds, Arua City.

Claire also explained that if an error is caused by the ID owner, they are required to pay 200,000/- to the bank, but if the error is not their fault, the service is free.

The disbursement exercise is expected to run for seven days at the Booma Ground, Ayivu in Arua City, and Vurra in Arua District.

Residents have, however, expressed concerns about the long distances, lack of shade, and delays due to the limited number of workers serving them.

Adema Ben, a resident of Anyafiyo cell, Mvara ward, Arua Central Division, appealed to the government to extend the exercise to the community level.

“NIRA should consider those from long distances to be served first,” he said, appreciating the government’s initiative to enroll and disburse National IDs.

Adema Ben, a resident of Anyafiyo Cell, at Booma Grounds where NIRA is conducting mass National ID disbursement in Arua City.

Orodriyo Jessica, a resident of Ombeko cell, Arua City, said the process has been tedious due to the long distance, lack of transport, and delays.

NIRA has urged the public to take advantage of the exercise to access vital services like opening bank accounts, business permits, licenses, job seeking, medical services, and loans.

The authority has also warned its workers against extorting money from the public, emphasizing that the service is free of charge.