13,000 jobs announced ahead of National ID renewal exercise

The Minister of State for Internal Affairs, Gen David Muhoozi, revealed in a statement yesterday that 13,000 personnel will be required to execute the exercise, which is set to take place across the country's 10,717 parishes.

The upcoming exercise aims to enroll 17.2 million unregistered Ugandans and renew the National Identity Cards of 15.8 million citizens. Highlighting the importance of this effort, Gen Muhoozi stated, "This exercise is pivotal in ensuring that every eligible Ugandan is registered and has a valid National Identity Card, which is essential for accessing various government services and participating fully in national life."

Recruitment Drive Overview

To ensure the smooth execution of the exercise, the government has already begun the recruitment process. Between February 26th and June 30th, job advertisements for 22 different roles were posted online, attracting a staggering 152,000 applications from across the country.

"We were overwhelmed by the response, which is a testament to the eagerness of Ugandans to contribute to this national cause," Gen Muhoozi remarked.

The recruitment process was thorough, with all applicants undergoing a competence test. "Only the most qualified individuals were selected to proceed to the oral interviews, ensuring that we have the best team in place," the Minister added. Out of the large pool of applicants, 6,200 successful candidates were chosen for the next stage.

The 13,000 personnel who will be recruited will be responsible for various critical tasks, including managing biometric registration kits, verifying data, and overseeing the operationalization of card printing equipment. "These roles are vital to the success of the exercise, and we are confident that the personnel selected will deliver to the highest standards," Gen Muhoozi emphasized.

System and Infrastructure Preparedness

In addition to the recruitment efforts, the government has made significant progress in preparing the necessary infrastructure and systems. On July 8th, 2024, a provider was contracted to supply the required equipment and systems. Gen Muhoozi noted, "We have been working closely with the contractor to ensure that all project timelines and supply chain schedules are met. This collaboration is crucial to the timely commencement of the exercise."

Key items on the critical path include the delivery of 5,650 Biometric Registration kits, the acquisition of blank National ID cards, and the implementation of five software modules essential for the exercise. These modules cover NID card renewal, new registration, card replacement, change of particulars, and first ID issuance.

The new registration kits are designed to enhance efficiency, featuring advanced capabilities such as portable solar power, additional battery capacity, iris scanners, and secondary display options. "These upgrades will enable us to capture biometric data more efficiently and accurately at the parish level," Gen Muhoozi explained.

Interim Measures and Timeline

The mass enrolment and renewal exercise is slated to officially begin on October 15th, 2024, once all systems and equipment are in place. However, in the interim, citizens aged 16 years and above, particularly those who will be 18 by January 2026, are encouraged to register using the current system.

The government estimates that around 3 million people fall into this category. "We are committed to ensuring that no eligible citizen is left out due to system delays," the Minister assured.

To avoid disenfranchising any citizens whose National Identity Cards may expire before the new ones are issued, the government has extended the validity of expiring cards. "This extension is an interim measure to ensure that service delivery is not disrupted for cardholders during this period," Gen Muhoozi said.