Illegal fees threaten NIRA registration in Wirao parish, Aber sub county Oyam district

1 August 2025, 9:49 am

By Eman Yonah Oruk

Concerns are mounting in Wirao Parish, Aber Sub county, as reports of illegal fee collection by NIRA staff threaten to hinder residents’ access to registration services. Over 100 residents from 17 villages—including Barlong B and A, Dago Itolo, Wangdwe, Acan Kwete, Alobo Lac A and B, Dam Amalo, Dam B, Dam C, Ayom Apwono, and Wirao—have lodged complaints about officials demanding payments for registration and LC1 chairperson recommendations.

Tonny Ocen, a resident of Barlong B village, expressed outrage over corruption at Wirao Trading Centre. He reported being forced to pay 1,000 shillings for an LC1 recommendation during his photo session, stating that refusal would result in denial of service.

Another resident, Martin Christ Ongora, shared a similar ordeal. He was charged 6,000 shillings for three individuals. He noted that the amount varied depending on who was approached—some were asked for 2,000 or even 1,000 shillings, particularly first-time registrants.

These practices have discouraged many residents from pursuing registration. With food insecurity and long travel distances already posing challenges, such illegal fees add further barriers. Ongora urged the Oyam District Local Government to intervene and assist the affected communities.

In a comment to our reporter Jatim Brian Ogutu, the LC5 Councillor of Aber Sub-county stated that he was deeply shocked upon hearing the news. He called for the arrest of NIRA staff allegedly extorting money from Aber residents, despite NIRA being a government-established agency. He condemned this as an abuse of the rights of the people of Wirao and promised to fight hard against such corruption. He also urged district authorities to take action and ensure that the officials involved return the money they took from the people.

In response, Meregurewa Moses, a senior NIRA officer in Oyam, stated via phone that registration forms are not for sale and promised to visit the area to address the issue.

Oyam District Commissioner Sgt. Shilako James confirmed that NIN registration through NIRA is a government-funded programme. He emphasised that registration, renewal, and fresh applications are free of charge—except in cases involving lost national IDs (which require a police report and a fee of 50,000 shillings) or name changes, which must be paid for at the bank. He warned that anyone found collecting illegal fees would be dealt with according to the law.

This corruption came to light after a journalist from Shine FM 106.5 Oyam went undercover to investigate. He pretended to be a client seeking registration and was requested to pay money before proceeding.