Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga (front) holding his national identity cards after officially receiving them at Bulange, Mengo.
The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has officially issued a national identity card to the Katikkiro of Buganda, Charles Peter Mayiga, following his recent re-registration under the national mass registration exercise.
Speaking at Bulange in Mengo while receiving his ID, Katikkiro Mayiga said every Ugandan should possess a clear form of identification that confirms their nationality, adding that the system promotes national unity and civic responsibility.
He noted that Buganda traditionally had strong systems of identity, explaining that when a child was born, they would be taken to their grandfather and given a name drawn from the clan lineage—an identity that clearly defined one’s roots, similar to today’s national identification system.
“Identification is not new to Buganda. Our naming traditions clearly established who a person was and where they belonged.” — Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga
Katikkiro Mayiga highlighted the importance of the national ID, saying it is essential for accessing employment opportunities, applying for passports, and facilitating movement across countries. He added that within the East African region, the national ID is now accepted as a valid travel document.
On behalf of NIRA, Stephen Roberts Kasumba, who oversees operations at the authority, officially handed the ID to the Katikkiro. He revealed that in Buganda alone, 13.36 million people have already renewed their national IDs, while 6.15 million had never been registered before.