By Derrick Brian Muduku
The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA), in a bid to quicken their citizen registration and certification activities, have recruited at least 50 graduate interns from Uganda Christian University (UCU).
Under this apprenticeship, the interns will support the digital registration of citizens, who later will be granted National Identification Cards. This is hands-on training that the University has embraced as beneficial to its students, the institution itself, and the Mukono community at large.
“We thank NIRA for allowing us to be the pioneers of this project that will cut across to other universities,” said Bridget Mugume K. Mugasira, the Director of Student Affairs at UCU,
She added that this project is UCU and NIRA’s corporate social responsibility because it is not only benefitting University students, but pupils from primary and secondary schools within Mukono municipality.”
NIRA camped at the UCU old football pitch on Monday, 03 December, to start their activities. Besides registration for National Identification cards (ID), they are also offering: replacement of lost IDs, birth certificates, checking status quo of IDs pending issuance, sensitization on the services of NIRA, etc.
This will go on for the next two weeks, after which, a major launch of the project will happen, and see it spread to other universities as well.
Gilbert Kadilo, the NIRA Manager of Public Relations and Corporate Affairs noted that while the graduate interns are helping to cover a human resource gap, they will also learn valuable skills.
“We decided to identify these students, train them and engage them to do the work. We do not have enough resources readily available to do all this work on our own,” he said.
Kadilo emphasised the importance of a National ID to Ugandan youth in regard with the current times.
“There are young Ugandans who have never registered for an ID. We are here to ensure that they get their cards because they need them,” he said.
He also commended UCU for accepting to host the activity, given the ongoing serious health and security concerns.
“UCU was quick to welcome the initiative, which I believe is part of their character and we appreciate it,” said Kadilo.
Over 150 students applied for the opportunity, but only 50 were selected based on geographical proximity to the registration center, academic performance and flexibility among others.
