NIRA suspends services at parishes ahead of elections

The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has announced a temporary suspension and adjustment of its services countrywide to allow for the smooth conduct of elections this week. 

The changes were confirmed by the Registrar of NIRA, Claire Ollama, who said the authority had reorganised its operations to avoid disrupting the electoral process.

Speaking on Monday, Ollama explained that NIRA had been operating at parish level, which coincides with key election venues. 

“This is an election week. We are adjusting the way we are going to be offering our services,” she said, noting that the decision was taken to enable all Ugandans to fully participate in the elections without interference.

According to Ollama, NIRA exited parish-level operations on Saturday, 10 January, and effective Monday, 12 January, there will be no services offered at the parish.

Instead, the issuance of national identity cards has been moved back to the sub-county level, where services will be available on Monday, 12 January, and Tuesday, 13 January. However, she clarified that there will be no registration services at sub-county level during these two days.

She further announced that NIRA offices will be fully closed from 14 to 16 January, and again on 22 and 27 January, as well as on 4 February. During this period, registration devices will be withdrawn from the field and returned to district offices for proper management.

“Between the 14th and the 16th there will be no services in your parish or your sub-county,” Ollama emphasised.

NIRA will continue to offer limited services on non-designated holidays, strictly at its offices. Further guidance on when services will return to parish level will be communicated after the elections.

Ollama also outlined specific service points for urban residents. In Kampala Central, services are available at Lumumba Avenue.

In Wakiso District, centres include Uganda Martyrs Shrine Namugongo, NIRA Kasangati offices, St Luke Church of Uganda Nansana, and several community halls and churches. Nakawa Division residents have been directed to institutions such as Nakawa Division Institute, MUBS Annex Bugolobi, Ntinda Primary School Banda, and other designated locations.

The authority has urged the public to take note of the changes and plan accordingly.