KAMPALA, Uganda— The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has assumed responsibility for marriage registration in Uganda, taking over the function from the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) as part of a government effort to streamline public services. The official handover occurred at a ceremony in Kololo on Thursday.
The move, enacted under the Rationalization of Public Expenditure (RAPEX) program, aims to centralize and potentially enhance the process of recording marriages nationwide. Top officials from both NIRA and URSB attended the event at the Uganda Business Facilitation Centre, signifying the official transition.
Mercy K. Kainobwisho, Registrar General of URSB, formally handed over the marriage registration duties to Rosemary Kisembo, Executive Director of NIRA. Kainobwisho emphasized that the transfer followed amendments to relevant laws, legally mandating NIRA with this responsibility.
“This moment marks the conclusion of a significant chapter and the beginning of another,” Kainobwisho stated, highlighting URSB’s professional and cooperative approach to the transition. She noted that URSB had worked closely with all stakeholders to ensure a smooth handover, including the transfer of relevant budgets and the provision of logistical support to NIRA during the initial period.
Kainobwisho also acknowledged the guidance of the Ministry of Public Service in facilitating the change. “Your guidance and encouragement have been instrumental in ensuring a smooth and fair transition for everyone involved,” she said.
Rosemary Kisembo, Executive Director of NIRA, expressed confidence in her organization’s ability to manage the new responsibility effectively. “To URSB, don’t be worried about the child you have handed over. They shall grow, they shall transform, and they can transcend,” Kisembo assured.
The government’s RAPEX program seeks to consolidate functions within public bodies to eliminate redundancies and improve service delivery. The transfer of marriage registration to NIRA, an agency already responsible for national identification, is seen as a logical step towards creating a more integrated and efficient system for vital civil registrations. The consolidation is expected to streamline processes for citizens seeking to register their marriages and potentially improve the accuracy and accessibility of marriage records. Officials from both agencies expressed optimism about the transition and its potential benefits for the Ugandan public.
