PARIS, FRANCE

A spirit of patriotism and unity filled the Ugandan Embassy in Paris last week as the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) concluded a successful week-long registration exercise for Ugandans living in France. The initiative, which began on Monday, October 13th, attracted hundreds of citizens eager to renew or acquire their National Identity Cards, a vital document that links them to their home and to their civic rights as Ugandans.

The exercise was part of an ongoing government effort to extend identification services to Ugandans in the diaspora. According to Christopher Kantinti, NIRA’s Director of ICT and team leader for the operation, the drive aimed to bring government services closer to citizens abroad. “This program was about inclusion,” Kantinti explained. “We wanted every Ugandan, wherever they live, to be captured in the national database and have access to the same privileges as those at home.”

Throughout the week, the embassy premises were abuzz with activity as Ugandans of all ages turned up to register. From professionals working in international organizations to students and families living across France, the turnout exceeded expectations. Kantinti noted that participation steadily grew as the week progressed, peaking on Thursday when the community gathered for their belated Independence Day celebrations in Paris.

For many attendees, the exercise represented far more than administrative convenience, it was a moment of reconnection with their homeland. Florence Ereu, a Ugandan professional working with UNESCO, hailed the initiative as timely and long overdue. “I had tried registering three times before but faced challenges,” she recalled. “Now that NIRA brought the service to us, I finally succeeded. It felt like Uganda came to meet us halfway.”

Elcy, a Ugandan student in Paris, described the process as seamless and efficient. “It was such an easy exercise,” she said. “It saved us time and spared us the cost of traveling back to Uganda just to renew our IDs.”

For others like Tipola, a long-time resident in France, the opportunity carried deeper meaning. “Having a national ID strengthens our connection to Uganda,” she said. “It allows us to participate in national activities and reminds us that even from afar, we belong.”

The diaspora registration in France formed part of NIRA’s broader European rollout, expected to extend to Belgium and the Netherlands. Officials reported a positive response, with many Ugandans expressing gratitude for the government’s effort to bring essential services closer to them. The registration is also expected to enhance access to other key services such as passport renewals, voting, and verification processes for Ugandans abroad.

Uganda’s Embassy in Paris worked closely with the NIRA team to ensure smooth implementation of the exercise. Embassy staff offered logistical support and guidance to participants throughout the week, underscoring government’s commitment to strengthening ties with its diaspora communities. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and NIRA reaffirmed their dedication to ensuring that no Ugandan, regardless of where they live, is left behind in the national identification program.

As the Independence celebrations wrapped up in Paris, many participants left the embassy not only with renewed identity documents but also with a renewed sense of national belonging. The week-long exercise served as a reminder that even thousands of miles from home, Ugandans remain bound by the shared identity of one nation, one people.