Speaker Rebecca Kadaga has directed the Prime Minister, Ruhakana Rugunda to make a statement on the persistent concerns raised by legislators on the cumbersome process of acquiring National identifications (IDs).
“This issue was discussed in the last sitting and we made a resolution that the
ID processing should be decentralized but this has not yet been done. Every
Ugandan has a right to an ID,” she said.
Government started issuance of national IDs to citizens in 2014 and subsequently,
a policy was passed making the ID a requirement for accessing services and jobs
countrywide.
MPs however, said that since the inception of the IDs, the process of acquiring
the IDs has frustrated many Ugandans, thereby affecting their ability to access
services and jobs.
Hon. Gaffa Mbwatekamwa (NRM, Kasambya County) who raised a matter of national
importance during plenary sitting on 25 February 2020 called for the
decentralization of the ID issuance.
“People come to Kampala and even spend sleepless nights because they are
chasing for IDs. Getting a passport has become easier than getting a national
ID,” he said.
Hon. Guma Gumisiriza (NRM, Ibanda County) appealed to government to consider
addressing the issue expeditiously, saying that it is a grave matter which
should not be brushed off.
“This issue should be elevated beyond the minister of internal affairs because
he has failed to address it. This is an important matter and even if we have to
suspend sitting until it is addressed, we should do it,” he said.
The Leader of Opposition, Hon. Betty Aol Ocan asked government to ease the
process and remove the ID fee of shs52, 000 especially for the elderly.
“The elderly cannot even travel to Kampala to pick the IDs because of their
vulnerability,” she said.
