By Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa/Umoja Standard.
Kampala, Uganda: In a significant development, the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has taken over the registration of marriages in Uganda, consolidating the registration of all natural persons. This move is aimed at streamlining the process, making it more efficient, and improving the accuracy and integrity of marriage records.
According to Rosemary Kisembo, Executive Director of NIRA, “The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) is now mandated to register the life cycle of a person, including four key events: birth, death, marriage, and adoption. These records are permanent, continuous, and universal.” Kisembo emphasized that registration is a critical aspect of vital events, and it is NIRA’s responsibility to ensure that these records are accurate and complete.
The Ugandan government’s decision to transfer the responsibility of marriage registration to NIRA was made to consolidate the registration of all natural persons. The Registration of Persons (Amendment) Act, 2024, has provided the legal framework for NIRA to take over the marriage registration function.
Vincent Katutsi, Commissioner Civil Marriage at NIRA, noted that the transfer of marriage registration to NIRA aims to make it a one-stop-shop for all civil registration needs. Katutsi emphasized that NIRA is committed to providing efficient services and addressing concerns about potential delays in the registration process.
In the same regard, Presiding Apostle Dr. Joseph Sserwadda of Victory Christian Church welcomed the introduction of such services to NIRA, stating, “Today, we witnessed the introduction of a new ministry, transferring marriage registration from the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. We have no issue with this change, as long as marriages are recognized by law and officiated according to each faith’s requirements.”
NIRA has emphasized the importance of dialogue in its new role of registering marriages, with the goal of accommodating different faiths, cultures, and backgrounds in its registration process. The public has been urged to cooperate with NIRA in registering vital events, as this information is essential for national planning, policy development, and service delivery.
In this regard, the first couple has been fully registered by NIRA at the inaugural Marriage Registration Dialogue at PPDA Auditorium in Kampala today since mandated to perform officiate these services.