The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has postponed the Mass Enrolment and Renewal Exercise initially scheduled for June 1, 2024, to July 2024 due to unforeseen delays in the procurement process.
Rosemary Kisembo, the Executive Director of the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA), announced on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, that the highly anticipated Mass Enrolment and Renewal Exercise for national IDs has been postponed. Initially set to begin on June 1, 2024, the exercise will now commence in July due to unexpected delays in the procurement process.
Kisembo explained the reasons behind the postponement in a detailed statement.
"We have faced unforeseen delays in the procurement process, which has necessitated the rescheduling of the Mass Enrolment and Renewal Exercise," she stated.
Kisembo assured the public that by the end of June 2024, preparations will be complete and the exercise will begin without further delays.
She emphasized the government's commitment to ensuring that the postponement does not negatively impact service delivery or the electoral roadmap.
"Aware of the Electoral Roadmap and the expiry of some cards beginning July 2024, the government is taking all necessary measures to ensure that the delays do not affect service delivery and the roadmap," Kisembo noted.
In consultation with the Attorney General’s Chambers, NIRA is implementing measures to mitigate any potential disadvantages to the public caused by the delays.
"The Ministry of Internal Affairs and NIRA would like to assure the public that the government will deliver this exercise successfully within the stipulated timelines," she added.
Reflecting on past experiences, Kisembo pointed out that a similar incident occurred in 2021 when the exercise was delayed but ultimately carried out successfully within four months.
This precedent provides confidence that the current postponement will not derail the overall process.
The Mass Enrolment and Renewal Exercise is a critical component of the government's efforts to maintain accurate and up-to-date identification records for all citizens. With national IDs being crucial for various services, including voting, banking, and accessing government services, the timely completion of this exercise is of paramount importance.
Kisembo's announcement aims to reassure the public that despite the delays, the government is fully committed to meeting the new timeline and ensuring that no citizen is disadvantaged by the postponement. She reiterated,
"We are working diligently to overcome the procurement challenges and will commence the exercise by July. Our goal is to ensure that every citizen has a valid ID and can access all necessary services without interruption."
As the new start date approaches, NIRA will continue to update the public on the progress and provide detailed information on the enrolment and renewal process to ensure a smooth and efficient exercise for all involved.
