The 2025 NIRA Schools Debate, a dynamic two-day inter-school competition, successfully concluded on May 6 at Kitante Hill School in Kampala, leaving a profound impact on students, educators, and government officials. Hosted by renowned media personality Pamela Malaika, the event was organized by the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Sports and Debate Society Uganda.
The debate brought together over 20 secondary schools from across the country, including Nyakasura School, Bweranyangi Girls, Muni Girls Secondary School, St. Henry’s College Kitovu, Sebei College Tegeres, and Mbale Secondary School, fostering spirited discussions on the critical importance of national identification in Uganda’s development.
The competition centered on thought-provoking motions directly tied to NIRA’s upcoming mass enrollment and renewal campaign, set to begin on May 27, 2025. Students engaged in rigorous debates on topics such as whether schools should admit only NIRA-registered students and whether the replacement of lost or damaged National IDs should be free. These discussions not only showcased the intellectual prowess of Uganda’s youth but also highlighted their awareness of civic responsibility and the role of national identification in accessing essential services.
NIRA’s Executive Director, Rosemary Kisembo, delivered a powerful call to action during the event, emphasizing the urgent need for youth participation in the national ID registration drive. “With 18.2 million Ugandans, most of them under the age of 17, still unregistered, this is a call for the youths to be visible, vocal, and valid. A National Identification Number (NIN) is a gateway to education, healthcare, employment, and full participation in our nation’s growth. We urge every young person, parent, and guardian to take this exercise seriously as we prepare for this historic enrollment,” she said.
Internal Affairs State Minister Gen. David Muhoozi echoed these sentiments, reaffirming the government’s commitment to ensuring registration across the board. “The energy and insight displayed by these young debaters prove that Uganda’s youth are not just future leaders—they are active change-makers today. As NIRA prepares to register 17.2 million new applicants and renew 15.8 million expired IDs, we are counting on students to be ambassadors of this initiative in their homes and communities. This mass enrollment is a cornerstone of our national planning, ensuring that no Ugandan is left behind in accessing critical services and opportunities,” he stated.
The debate also shed light on a pressing issue: despite Uganda’s growing population, only 5.2 million children between the ages of 0 and 17 are currently registered with NIRA, meaning nearly 70% lack legal identification. To address this gap, NIRA has procured 5,665 state-of-the-art biometric registration kits, delivered in January 2025, along with two high-capacity card printing machines capable of producing 100,000 laser-engraved IDs daily. These resources will be deployed nationwide to facilitate a smooth and efficient registration process.
The NIRA Schools Debate served as more than just an intellectual competition—it was a strategic platform to mobilize youth engagement ahead of the mass enrollment. By integrating the debate into the national curriculum’s emphasis on civic education and continuous assessment, the Ministry of Education and Sports reinforced the importance of national identification as a lifelong tool for empowerment. Debate Society Uganda, with its expertise in youth advocacy and public speaking, ensured the event maintained high standards, fostering meaningful dialogue among students from diverse regions, including West Nile and Karamoja.
As Uganda prepares for this critical national exercise, NIRA encourages all citizens, particularly parents and guardians, to ensure their children are registered. The authority also calls on community leaders, schools, and local government officials to support awareness campaigns, emphasizing that a National ID is not just a legal requirement but a fundamental right that unlocks opportunities for every Ugandan. The success of the 2025 NIRA Schools Debate underscores the power of youth voices in shaping national discourse and driving meaningful change.
