EDITOR
The Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC) for Kanungu District, Gad Ahimbisibwe Rugaju, has condemned reports of officials allegedly extorting money from residents during the ongoing National Identity Card registration and renewal exercise.
Rugaju expressed deep disappointment over the allegations, stressing that the exercise is a government-funded program that must be offered free of charge to all citizens. His comments followed several complaints from residents who claimed they were being asked to pay bribes to have their IDs processed.
Speaking to journalists on Monday evening from his office in Kihiihi Town, Rugaju warned that anyone found demanding money from citizens in exchange for National ID services would face the full force of the law.
“The National ID registration is a free government service. Anyone extorting money from the public will be dealt with accordingly,” Rugaju said.
He also announced plans to conduct monitoring visits across all town councils and sub-counties in Kanungu District to ensure the exercise is conducted transparently and without exploitation.
Rugaju further urged residents to report any cases of extortion to his office or local security authorities, emphasizing that the fight against corruption requires collective responsibility.
The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) is currently carrying out a countrywide exercise to register new applicants and update citizens’ data ahead of the upcoming electoral cycle.
