The government of Uganda announced plans to collect the Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) of Ugandans while registering for renewal and first time issuing of the new National Identification (ID) cards to holders.
The State Minister for Internal Affairs, Gen David Muhoozi, last Thursday told the parliamentary plenary that the government will issue “smart digital” IDs going forward once the current versions expire.
The mechanization of an individual’s information on an ID was to scale up the technology and expedite verification of a person’s particulars whenever required.
“Expected outcomes of the exercise shall include a substitution of the expiring National ID cards upon expiry, their upgrading to a smart card electronic ID and the creation of a personal digital identity, upgrade of the verification system, and integration of the Iris recognition biometric technology and DNA into the NIRA system,” the minister said.
Muhoozi said the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) will commence the mass enrollment exercise of National IDs in January 2023 while renewals will start in August 2023 up to August 2025, targeting 17.2 million citizens who have never been registered and 20 million Ugandans who wish to renew their National IDs.
