The Uganda High Commission in Dar es Salaam has launched ID registration while hosting its first diaspora convention in Tanzania to promote national development.
Ugandans living in Dar es Salaam are the first diaspora community to register and renew their national identification cards under a mass enrollment and renewal exercise by the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA), officially commencing on May 27.
NIRA Executive Director Rosemary Kisembo highlighted that Tanzania is the first Ugandan mission globally to integrate the newly acquired national security information system. She emphasized that this sets a precedent for other missions to adopt the advanced platform and transition from outdated systems.
Kisembo stressed that registering with NIRA affirms legal identity, grants access to government services, enables participation in national processes, and secures citizenship benefits. She reaffirmed NIRA’s commitment to making these services accessible to Ugandans in Tanzania through collaboration with embassies and mobile registration units.
Speaking at the ongoing Uganda Diaspora Convention, Senior Registration Officer Andrew Apedel delivered remarks on behalf of Kisembo, urging Ugandans in the diaspora to ensure their registration or renewal is up to date. She praised the convention as a vital platform for supporting Ugandans abroad, recognizing them as ambassadors of the country’s culture and values.
Apedel explained that the new ID renewal process is user-friendly, allowing pre-registration and renewal to begin online. Additionally, family heads can log in and register their family members.
The redesigned national IDs will feature biometric security measures, including fingerprint and iris recognition. Additionally, they will support online and offline verification, digital signatures, secure credential access, eGovernment services, physical authentication, compatibility with major mobile and tablet platforms, and Mobile ID functionality.
Uganda Hosts First Diaspora Convention in Tanzania
Apedel was among several Ugandan officials who spoke at the inaugural Uganda Diaspora Convention, hosted by the Uganda High Commission in Dar es Salaam in partnership with the Association of the Ugandan Community in Tanzania (AUCT). The event took place on May 23, 2025, under the theme “Harnessing the Diaspora Potential for Socio-economic Transformation: Strengthening Uganda-Tanzania Ties.”
Held at the Johari Rotana Hotel, the convention gathered Ugandans residing in Tanzania, senior government officials, private sector leaders, and development partners to discuss investment opportunities and national development.
Ambassador Charles Ssentongo, Chief of Protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, officially opened the event on behalf of Permanent Secretary Bagiire Vincent Waiswa. He expressed gratitude to participants for engaging in the convention, which was organized by the Uganda High Commission in collaboration with AUCT to foster dialogue and address key issues affecting Ugandans abroad.
He underscored the Ugandan government's strong commitment to advancing and safeguarding its interests abroad, recognizing the vital role of its diaspora citizens in this effort. While acknowledging their needs, he noted that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Uganda Missions overseas, with support from other government agencies, have worked to address these concerns.
Ambassador Sentongo highlighted Vision 2040’s goal of overcoming key obstacles to Uganda’s socio-economic growth and transformation. He pointed to initiatives such as agricultural mechanization, improved transport infrastructure, investment in human capital, harnessing natural resources, and accelerating industrialization and value addition.
High Commissioner Focuses on Regional Integration
In his opening remarks, Col (Rtd) Fred Mwesigye, Uganda’s High Commissioner to Tanzania, stressed the importance of formalizing diaspora engagement and fostering strategic partnerships to drive economic growth and regional integration. “This convention provides a historic opportunity for dialogue, collaboration, and innovation. Together, we can turn diaspora potential into meaningful impact,” he stated.
The High Commissioner reaffirmed his dedication to supporting the diaspora community, addressing their concerns, and ensuring their rights and interests are protected.
He reiterated that the event’s success was made possible through the collaboration and support of key partners, including the Association of Ugandans in Tanzania and Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The convention featured insightful presentations from Dr. Hilary Musoke Kisanja, Senior Presidential Advisor on Agri-Business, who discussed government policies for the diaspora and available support structures; Judith Kasozi Namaganda, Senior Immigration Officer at DCIC, MoIA, who covered dual citizenship, travel document processing, and immigration policies; Apedel, Senior Registration Officer at NIRA, who addressed national ID registration for Ugandans in the diaspora; and Rita Nabateregga Mugula, Senior Investment Executive at UIA, who outlined investment sectors, opportunities in Uganda, and government incentives for diaspora investors.
These discussions sparked interactive engagement with attendees, marking a milestone as the mission became the first abroad to implement the new NIRA system, offering services such as national ID registration, renewals, and replacements—bringing essential services closer to Ugandans in the diaspora.
A special panel discussion, “Unlocking Wealth Back Home,” featured representatives from leading financial institutions, including NSSF, Post Bank, Housing Finance Bank, and Centenary Bank. Panelists introduced financial products tailored to diaspora needs, such as affordable mortgages, treasury bonds, digital banking solutions, and real estate investment opportunities.
The convention also highlighted success stories from Ugandan entrepreneurs in Tanzania and examined government policies on dual citizenship, immigration, and national identification registration.
Ambassador Fred Mwesigye concluded the session by reaffirming Uganda’s commitment to safeguarding diaspora rights and enhancing diaspora services through strengthened collaboration with ministries, departments, and agencies.
The convention will continue with a Diaspora Awareness Run, followed by a networking gala later today, aimed at furthering efforts to protect diaspora rights and expand services through inter-agency cooperation.
