Birth & Death Certificates Delayed: COSASE Orders NIRA to Act

The parliamentary Committee on Statutory Authorities, State Enterprises, and State Enterprises (COSASE) has instructed officials from the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) to urgently address the challenges related to the issuance of birth and death certificates.

During a meeting with NIRA officials, led by Executive Director Rose Mary Kisembo, the committee, chaired by Muwada Nkunyingi, the Member of Parliament for Kyadondo East, expressed concerns over the delays in issuing these certificates.

Kira Municipality Member of Parliament George Musisi questioned how NIRA plans to expedite the process of obtaining birth, death, and marriage certificates in order to reduce bureaucracy and ensure that people receive these important documents in time.

“Because even if it’s from the IDs, whether it’s getting a birth certificate or death certificate or marriage certificate, how do you, are you going to ensure that you reduce this process in as much as possible? There are some other entities, of course people are talking about permits a lot, if you notice, because they have done a lot, tremendously cutting of the bureaucracy” said Musisi.

So what we want to see as the general public, ( because I’m also a user, is to see that the bureaucracy is reduced, such that people can say you can get your ID in a week, or possibly in a day, that would be the best”.he added .

Chairperson Muwada Nkunyingi highlighted that the delays in issuing birth and death certificates hinder applicants’ ability to obtain letters of administration, which in turn affects their access to succession benefits.

In response, Executive Director Rose Mary Kisembo assured the committee that NIRA aims to prioritize the printing of birth and death certificates for those who meet all necessary criteria.

She also indicated the importance of hospitals providing NIRA with timely information to facilitate prompt registration of births and deaths.