The Uganda National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) is indeed incorporating iris biometrics into the new national digital ID card. This advanced feature will serve as an added layer of security and provide an alternative for individuals with fingerprints that are difficult or impossible to capture due to ageing, injury, or permanent disabilities.
According to NIRA’s Executive Director, Rosemary Kisembo, about 1 million fingerprint records in the registry are no longer recognizable, making iris biometrics a vital solution. The new ID card will likely leverage advanced iris recognition technology, which boasts:
- High Accuracy: Iris recognition offers top-class precision among biometric authentication technologies.
- Uniqueness: Each person’s iris pattern is unique and remains unchanged throughout life.
- Security: Iris recognition is highly resistant to false matches and can distinguish between twins.
- Convenience: Iris scanning can be done even when the subject is wearing glasses, a hat, or a mask, and it’s contactless, making it hygienic.
NIRA has partnered with Veridos to produce the national ID card, and the authority plans to commence mass enrollment and renewal processes soon. The inclusion of iris biometrics aims to enhance the security and accuracy of the identification process.
