Uganda is set to host the My Identity Expo and Symposium 2026, a three-day public engagement aimed at bringing national identification services closer to citizens and promoting greater understanding of the importance of legal identity.

The event, organised by the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA), will take place at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds from September 24 to 26, 2026, as Uganda joins the global commemoration of International Identity Day.

Entrance to the Expo will be free.

The My Identity Expo will give Ugandans an opportunity to access a range of NIRA services at a single venue.

Among the services expected at the event are National ID registration and renewal, collection of ready National ID cards and National Identification Number (NIN) services.

Members of the public will also receive information and assistance relating to birth, death and marriage registration, together with dedicated inquiry services.

NIRA Executive Director Rosemary Kisembo said the Expo is intended to create an opportunity for the Authority and its stakeholders to engage directly with citizens on issues surrounding identification.

She emphasised that a NIN is more than a number because it is supported by an individual's biometric information, which provides a reliable way of establishing identity.

The three-day symposium will go beyond the provision of registration services and focus on broader questions about legal identity.

Discussions will cover issues such as when identification should take place, who should be identified, how identity is established and how personal identity information can be protected.

Government institutions, private-sector organisations and other stakeholders are expected to participate in the event. These include players from the financial, telecommunications and technology sectors, reflecting the growing role of trusted identification in everyday activities.

A verified identity can be important when opening a bank account, registering a SIM card, accessing government services, conducting business and using an increasing number of digital platforms.

The Expo will also showcase some of the security features of Uganda's national identification system and demonstrate how biometric technology contributes to protecting the integrity of the National Identification Register.

The importance of a reliable national identification system has been highlighted by the results of Uganda's recent Mass Enrolment and Mass Renewal Exercise.

During the exercise, the new registration system detected and blocked approximately 2.4 million attempts by individuals seeking fresh registration despite already having records in the national register.

The development demonstrates how identity verification systems can help reduce duplication and improve the reliability of information held in the national register.

Parents attending the Expo will have an opportunity to receive guidance on registering their children for National Identification Numbers.

Information will also be provided on birth registration and the importance of maintaining accurate records throughout an individual's life.

Members of the public will similarly be able to learn more about the registration of deaths and marriages and how these records contribute to a complete and reliable civil registration system.

Another major issue expected to attract attention at the Expo is the growing connection between national identification and Uganda's tax administration system.

Speaking during the unveiling of the event, Christine Mirembe, an Assistant Commissioner at the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), addressed concerns surrounding the integration of the NIN and Tax Identification Number (TIN).

Mirembe clarified that having a NIN does not automatically make an individual a taxpayer.

She explained that a TIN applies to a person when they are required to meet tax obligations, while the integration is intended to improve the accuracy of taxpayer records and help Government identify people who are genuinely required to pay taxes.

The clarification follows Cabinet's approval of the use of the NIN issued by NIRA as the TIN for individual taxpayers.

Government says the move is intended to create a more consistent identity framework, improve the accuracy of the taxpayer register and strengthen the ability to identify and trace taxpayers.

Mirembe also encouraged Ugandans to provide accurate information when interacting with NIRA.

Representatives of participating institutions have welcomed the initiative, describing it as an important platform for helping Ugandans understand identification services and their growing importance.

Hajj Abdul Nsubuga, speaking on behalf of USPC, congratulated NIRA for creating a platform where citizens can engage with institutions and obtain information about identity services.

He also pledged continued support for the Authority.

Nsubuga noted that Uganda is moving towards a future in which an increasing number of services will be delivered online. In such an environment, he said, reliable national identification will be fundamental to enabling people to access those services.

The Expo comes at a time when the role of identity in Uganda is becoming increasingly important.

National identity is no longer only about possessing a physical card. It is also connected to a person's ability to establish who they are, access services, protect their rights and allow institutions to serve them with greater confidence.

The My Identity Expo and Symposium 2026 will therefore provide more than an opportunity to process identification documents.

From September 24 to 26 at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, citizens will be able to access services, engage directly with NIRA and other participating institutions, ask questions and learn about the technologies supporting Uganda's identification system.

The event will also help Ugandans understand how their national identity connects with the government, financial, telecommunications and digital services they increasingly use in their daily lives.