Foreign nationals residing in Uganda will be required to pay $100 to be officially registered under a new national identification exercise set to begin on May 5, 2026.

The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) announced that the exercise will cover all legally resident non-citizens, commonly referred to as aliens, in line with legal requirements to include them in the national identification register.

Speaking during the weekly security press briefing at police headquarters in Naguru, NIRA Registrar Claire Ollama said successful applicants will be issued an Alien Identification Number as part of the new system.

She explained that eligible applicants must present valid immigration documents issued by the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control, with at least 90 days of validity remaining.

Acceptable documents include work permits, permanent residence permits, student passes, and dependent passes, along with a valid passport copy.

Ollama said the initiative is aimed at streamlining identification processes and improving national records management.

She emphasized that only foreigners residing legally in Uganda will qualify, urging eligible applicants to prepare the required documentation ahead of the rollout.

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