When did the nationwide school learners registration start?
The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA), in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Sports, has rolled out an extensive mass enrollment initiative targeting learners across Uganda’s schools. Outlined in a detailed circular dated July 25, 2025, from Dr. Kedrace R. Turyagyenda, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Sports, this program aims to register students in nursery, primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions, ensuring they receive National Identification Numbers (NINs). This exercise, conducted over six months starting January 1, 2025, seeks to integrate all learners into the National Identification Register, a vital tool for accessing services, verifying citizenship, and supporting government planning.
Scope and Eligibility
The mass enrollment exercise is designed to be inclusive, covering all learners in Uganda’s educational system, regardless of their institution type—government or private. This includes:
- Pre-primary (nursery) schools
- Primary schools
- Secondary schools
- Tertiary institutions
Every school pupil or student, from young children in nursery to students in higher education, qualifies for registration. The initiative particularly emphasizes capturing younger citizens, as an analysis of the current 27.9 million registered Ugandans shows over 95% are aged 18 and above, leaving a significant gap in the registration of school-aged individuals. The NIN, a unique identifier, enables lifelong access to services such as education, healthcare, banking, and government programs, while also facilitating tax collection and administrative planning.
Registration Process and Procedures
The registration process is structured to ensure accuracy, accessibility, and compliance with legal standards. Below are the detailed steps and procedures outlined in the circular:
- Data Collection:
- Form 3 or Online Pre-Registration: Schools, parents, or administrators can complete Form 3 or use the online pre-registration platform at https://prereg.nsis.nirs.gov.ug/preregistration-ui/eng to submit learner details in advance. Online pre-registration is encouraged to speed up the process, especially when physical forms are unavailable. Schools may assist parents in filling out this information to ensure accuracy.
- Required Information: The following details must be provided:
- Personal Information: Full name, date of birth, religion, and highest level of education.
- Place of Residence: The learner’s current place of residence.
- Place of Birth: The location where the learner was born (e.g., health facility or home).
- Place of Origin: The ancestral home of the learner’s mother, father, or grandparents.
- Citizenship Type: Confirmation of whether the learner is a Ugandan by birth or descent.
- Parental or Blood Relative Information:
- Names
- National Identification Number (NIN)
- Citizenship type
- Place of residence
- Place of origin
- Applications lacking a parent’s or blood relative’s NIN will be rejected.
- Role of Declarants:
- For learners under 18, a declarant is required to provide the necessary information. A declarant can be:
- A parent (if present)
- A teacher
- A school administrator
- Importantly, a declarant does not need to be a blood relative or parent. However, the circular strictly prohibits teachers or school personnel from falsely claiming to be parents or blood relatives of learners who are not their children. Such false declarations are punishable by law and may lead to serious consequences, including disputes over citizenship, inheritance, or family conflicts.
- Biometric Capture:
- NIRA Registration Assistants or Officers will visit schools to retrieve applications and capture biometric data, such as fingerprints and photographs. If pre-registration has not been completed, NIRA staff will collect information from physical Form 3 submissions during these visits. NIRA has dedicated Thursdays and Fridays for school registrations, with the option to make special arrangements through local NIRA offices to accommodate school schedules.
- Processing and Issuance:
- Submitted information is processed, with accuracy being critical to avoid rejections. Complete and accurate data, including a parent’s or blood relative’s NIN, is mandatory.
- Upon successful processing, all registered learners are issued a NIN.
- Learners aged 16 and above will also receive a National ID card, which will be delivered to their schools. If a learner is absent during delivery, the ID card will be stored at the NIRA office in the district where the school is located.
Addressing Previously Registered Learners
For learners who registered before May 2025 but do not know their NIN, schools can assist by submitting a list with the following details:
- Application ID (if available, found on the right-hand corner of the application form).
- Name used during the initial registration.
- Date of birth.
This process ensures that previously registered learners can retrieve their NINs without duplicating efforts.
Roles and Responsibilities
The success of the registration drive hinges on the collaboration between NIRA, schools, and parents. The circular clearly delineates responsibilities:
NIRA’s Responsibilities:
- Provide registration and renewal forms (though renewals are unlikely for learners).
- Supply registration kits and trained staff to capture biometric data.
- Coordinate with schools to schedule convenient registration days.
- Provide updates on the status of applications, whether new or previously submitted.
- Issue National ID cards to eligible learners (aged 16 and above).
- Deliver professional, transparent, and corruption-free services.
Schools’ Responsibilities:
- Ensure learners provide complete and accurate information to avoid costly corrections.
- Grant NIRA staff access to learners during registration visits.
- Prevent teachers or school personnel from falsely claiming to be parents or relatives of learners.
- Report any instances of corruption or irregularities observed during the registration process.
- Refrain from charging learners for registration forms or services, as the exercise is free of charge.
Key Guidelines and Considerations
- No Fees: The registration process is entirely free, and schools are strictly prohibited from charging learners for forms or services.
- Applicability to All Schools: The exercise covers both government and private schools, ensuring no learner is excluded based on their institution.
- Pre-Primary Inclusion: Nursery schools are explicitly included, reflecting the program’s comprehensive scope.
- Online Pre-Registration: Schools are encouraged to promote online pre-registration to streamline the process. Parents can complete the form and share the application with the school to ensure accuracy.
- Accuracy is Critical: Errors in submitted information can lead to costly corrections or application rejections. Schools are urged to work closely with parents to verify details, particularly parental or relative information.
- Legal Compliance: The prohibition on false declarations by teachers or administrators aims to safeguard the integrity of the registration process and protect learners’ legal rights, such as citizenship and inheritance.
Stakeholder Involvement
The circular was addressed to all heads of schools and institutions, with copies sent to key stakeholders to ensure coordinated implementation:
- First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports
- Ministers of State, Ministry of Education and Sports
- Resident City/District Commissioners
- LC V Chairpersons/Mayors
- Executive Director, Kampala City Council
- Chief Administration Officers/Town Clerks
- City/District Education Officers
Education Officers are tasked with ensuring all schools in their jurisdictions are covered, and an information pack has been provided to guide the process. For further inquiries, schools can contact the Commissioner for Education Planning, Mr. Robert Okudi, at 0417893620 or 0772605480, or via email at Robert.okudi@education.go.ug.
Broader Implications
This mass enrollment initiative is a cornerstone of Uganda’s efforts to strengthen its national identification framework. By registering learners, the government aims to:
- Enhance tracking of educational progress and resource allocation.
- Establish a robust database for citizenship verification, critical for legal rights such as inheritance and access to services.
- Support socio-economic planning through accurate demographic data.
- Facilitate access to services requiring NINs, including healthcare, banking, and government programs.
The use of online pre-registration reflects Uganda’s commitment to digital transformation, making the process more efficient and accessible. By ensuring every learner is registered, the government is laying the foundation for a more inclusive and organized identification system.
Call to Action
Dr. Turyagyenda’s circular emphasizes the importance of full cooperation from schools and parents to ensure no learner is left behind. Schools are urged to promote awareness of the registration process, assist with pre-registration, and maintain transparency to avoid irregularities. Parents are encouraged to provide accurate information and utilize the online platform to expedite registration.
For more information or to begin pre-registration, visit https://prereg.nsis.nirs.gov.ug/preregistration-ui/eng or contact your local NIRA office or District Education Office. This initiative represents a transformative opportunity to secure the identities of Uganda’s learners, ensuring they are equipped to access essential services throughout their lives.
This article is based on the official circular and information pack issued by the Ministry of Education and Sports and NIRA on July 25, 2025.
