The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) of Uganda has stated that Ugandans who live abroad and acquire citizenship in other countries automatically cease to be Ugandan citizens.
Such individuals have been advised to refrain from participating in the upcoming renewal exercise for Ugandan National Identity Cards, which is set to begin next month for Ugandans living abroad.
Speaking to the press on Monday, July 28, 2025, Claire Ollama, the Communications Director at NIRA, explained that although some people still possess Ugandan IDs obtained before leaving the country, they are no longer recognized as Ugandan citizens if they have since acquired foreign citizenship.
“If you are living in the diaspora and have obtained citizenship of another country, by default, you have relinquished Ugandan citizenship,” Ollama said.
“If you are a Ugandan living in America and have chosen to become an American citizen, then when we come for the National ID renewal process, this is not your service,” she added.
Ollama clarified that NIRA will only attend to individuals who still hold Ugandan citizenship, including those with officially recognized dual citizenship.
According to the official NIRA website, Ugandans who acquire foreign citizenship must undergo a formal process to retain their Ugandan citizenship. Without completing this re-registration, they automatically lose their Ugandan status upon swearing allegiance to another country.
Ollama further announced that the process of renewing national identity cards for Ugandans in the diaspora will begin on August 18, starting with Ugandans in the United Arab Emirates.
“We will be in the UAE between August 18 and 30. Specifically, from the 18th to the 24th, we will be at the Ugandan Embassy in Abu Dhabi. From the 25th to the 27th, we’ll be in Sharjah, and from the 28th to the 30th, we will be in the Al Khaimah area.”
She added that NIRA will then proceed to Doha, Qatar, followed by visits to the UK and the United States in September and October.
