The Ugandan government has started processing National Identity Cards (IDs) for citizens recently repatriated from South Africa.

The move forms part of broader efforts to support their smooth reintegration following xenophobic attacks that prompted their return home.

The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) is carrying out the registration exercise at the National Leadership Institute (NALI) in Kyankwanzi District, where over 700 returnees are participating in a structured rehabilitation programme.

The initiative aims to help returnees access essential government services as they work to rebuild their lives after losing businesses, jobs, and property in South Africa.

Commissioner of the National Secretariat for Patriotism Corps (NSPC), Hellen Seku, explained that bringing NIRA services directly to the rehabilitation centre ensures no returnee is left out of government programmes.

“Most of them missed the national registration exercise because they had been living in South Africa.

Without a National ID, it becomes difficult to access many services. We want them to reintegrate fully and enjoy every service available to Ugandans,” Seku said.

She added that other institutions, including the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), telecom companies, and financial institutions, have also brought their services on-site to ease the returnees’ transition back into society.

In addition to ID registration, the returnees are receiving training in patriotism, entrepreneurship, agriculture, financial literacy, and government wealth creation initiatives such as the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga.

Seku emphasized that the government’s goal is to equip the returnees with the necessary skills and knowledge to build sustainable livelihoods at home, rather than facing uncertainty abroad.

“We do not want them to return to their communities empty-handed. They should understand how government programmes work, how they can benefit from them, and how they can use agriculture and enterprise to improve their livelihoods,” she stated.

She noted that some returnees had lived in South Africa for 20 to 45 years, while more than 216 children born there have limited familiarity with Uganda.

Many arrived traumatized after losing their livelihoods and possessions but have reportedly regained hope through counselling and support at NALI.

NIRA Senior Registration Officer Capt. Darius Turyahikayo reported that over 410 adults and children have already been registered since the exercise began.

“As NIRA, we register every Ugandan from birth. Many of these returnees missed previous registration exercises because they were abroad. Bringing these services closer to them ensures that no one is left behind,” Turyahikayo said.

He assured the returnees that all eligible applicants would receive their National Identity Cards before leaving the facility, following directives from the NIRA Executive Director.

Government officials have welcomed the programme, with Seku commending President Yoweri Museveni for directing state agencies to support the repatriation and reintegration process.

President Museveni is expected to meet the returnees during the programme’s closing ceremony on July 17, 2026.

One of the returnees, musician Billy Katumba (popularly known as Kasodde), praised the initiative, saying it has helped many recover emotionally and discover new opportunities to rebuild their lives.

“We are being treated with dignity. The counselling has helped us recover emotionally, while the training has shown us opportunities we had never considered,” Katumba said.

The government describes the reintegration programme as an effort to restore the dignity of the returnees and enable them to become productive citizens once again.