NIRA Takes Over Civil Registration from URSB

The civil registration functions that were previously under the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) have been transferred to the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA). This transfer, effective as of October 2024, is part of a broader government effort to consolidate and streamline civil registration services for greater efficiency.

The transferred responsibilities include the registration of various types of marriages, such as customary, church, Muslim, and Hindu marriages, the licensing of public places of worship for marriage celebrations, and the issuance of civil status letters. Additionally, NIRA will now oversee the registration of Hindu and Muslim devotees, the solemnisation of civil marriages, and the issuance of special marriage licenses.

According to Simon Mundeyi, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Internal Affairs, this move is expected to improve coordination and service management in Uganda’s civil registration processes. Mundeyi noted that bringing all civil registration functions under one entity, NIRA, would lead to better service delivery for the public.

At a recent weekly joint security briefing held on October 7, 2024, at the Police headquarters in Naguru, Kampala, Mundeyi addressed the public about the anticipated benefits of this restructuring.

In addition to the transfer of civil registration duties, Mundeyi also issued a warning to the public regarding fraudulent activities targeting passport and visa applicants. The ministry has reported an increasing number of fraudsters who falsely claim to offer expedited passport and visa services in exchange for fees.

Mundeyi urged Ugandans to avoid engaging with these individuals, stating that the Ministry of Internal Affairs does not work with any third party agents or intermediaries. He explained that many applicants have been tricked into paying high fees for services that either do not exist or can be accessed directly from the ministry at no additional cost.

Several incidents have been reported where fraudsters, posing as immigration officers, operate outside the ministry’s premises, using intimidation and scare tactics to extract bribes from unsuspecting citizens. Mundeyi confirmed that a number of these individuals have been arrested, but encouraged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities.

He reiterated that the passport application process is simple and does not require any third-party involvement. Mundeyi assured the public that all applicants should deal directly with uniformed officers at official ministry counters and that any financial losses due to fraud would not be compensated by the ministry.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs urged the public to follow proper procedures when applying for passports and visas to avoid falling prey to fraudsters. The ministry said it is committed to enhancing the integrity and transparency of its services, as well as improving its civil registration processes through NIRA’s expanded role.