The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has rolled out a nationwide campaign to register newborn children and issue birth certificates free of charge, in a move aimed at strengthening Ugandaโs civil registration system and ensuring every child is officially recognized from birth.
The initiative targets infants aged between zero and six months, with parents encouraged to take advantage of the free registration and certification services.
Speaking about the campaign, NIRA registrar Claire Ollama said the exercise is part of the authorityโs ongoing efforts to build a comprehensive national register and improve access to essential identification services.
โThis is a birth registration campaign that we are taking to communities across the country to strengthen our national registration system. It is a service that every parent should embrace because it is not a one-time activity but a core function of NIRA,โ Ollama said.
Free Birth Certificates for Early Registration
Under the campaign, parents who register their children before they reach six months of age will receive birth certificates at no cost.
โWe are encouraging parents to register their babies early because any child registered before six months will receive a birth certificate free of charge,โ Ollama explained.
Birth registration is considered a critical step in securing a childโs legal identity and access to future services such as education, healthcare, and national identification documents.
Community Outreach to Boost Registration
To increase coverage and convenience, NIRA will conduct community-based outreach programmes through organized groups, including churches, mosques, and other community organizations.
According to Ollama, registration teams will be dispatched to locations where at least 10 children are available for registration.
โIf you belong to a church, mosque, or any organized group and have at least 10 children ready for registration, simply contact us through email or our social media platforms and our team will come to your location,โ she said.
She clarified that parents will not be required to bring infants below six months to registration centres during these outreach exercises.
โFor children under six months, the baby does not need to be physically present. Parents only need to provide their National ID and the childโs birth details,โ Ollama noted.
The group registration approach is expected to improve efficiency, increase accessibility, and ensure compliance with public health guidelines while bringing services closer to communities.
Revised Registration Fees for Older Children
NIRA also announced the applicable fees for birth registration after the six-month free registration period.
Children aged between seven and nine months will be charged Shs10,000, while those aged between 10 months and 17 years will pay Shs20,000. Individuals seeking birth registration after turning 18 years will be required to pay Shs50,000.
Officials believe the campaign will significantly increase birth registration rates across the country and help create a more accurate and inclusive national population database, ensuring that every child’s identity is recognized from the earliest stages of life.
