His Royal Highness Emorimor Paul Sande Emolot, the Paramount Chief of the Iteso, together with Her Royal Majesty Toto Akaliait Juliet Among, has appealed to all Iteso people to actively participate in the government’s ongoing National Identity Card renewal exercise.
The royal couple made the call after successfully renewing their own National Identity Cards in Tororo Town on Wednesday.
Their participation in the process was widely seen as a symbolic endorsement of the exercise, aimed at encouraging thousands of Iteso across the Teso sub-region to follow suit.
Speaking to journalists shortly after completing the exercise, Emorimor Emolot described the National Identity Card as an essential document that every Ugandan must possess to enjoy key government services and civic rights.
“I want to appeal to all my people, the Iteso across our districts, to go to the designated registration centres and renew or register for their National Identity Cards,” the Emorimor said. “It is our duty as citizens. Without this card, many opportunities will be closed to you.”
He stressed that the National ID is not only a requirement for voting in upcoming elections but is also essential for accessing government programs, financial services, and social benefits.
He warned that failure to renew could see many left behind.
“We must not be left out. Let us act now while the government is bringing the service closer to our villages and towns,” Emorimor Emolot added.
Her Royal Majesty Toto Akaliait Juliet Among echoed the call, urging women, youth, and the elderly not to take the exercise lightly.
She reminded the community that government has made the process free and accessible through local registration centres.
“As a mother and a leader, I want to encourage all our people, especially women and youth, to go and renew their National IDs,” she said. “We have done ours today to show the way. Let everyone follow.”
She emphasized that without the National ID, many Iteso risk being excluded from crucial national processes, including voting in upcoming elections and receiving government services such as health care support, social assistance, and education bursaries.
“Let us not wait until the last moment. Let us avoid the rush and crowding at the end of the deadline,” she cautioned.
The royal couple’s message comes at a crucial time as the government, through the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA), intensifies its campaign to ensure all Ugandans are registered or have renewed their IDs ahead of the next general elections.
The Electoral Commission has consistently emphasized that only Ugandans with valid National IDs will be eligible to vote.
Many local leaders have raised concern that in rural areas, people may miss the deadline due to lack of awareness or negligence.
Emorimor Emolot said it would be a tragedy for the Iteso to be disenfranchised simply because they failed to renew their IDs in time.
“Participation in elections is our constitutional right. But it is also our responsibility to meet the requirements. I want to see all Iteso able to vote and to speak with one voice,” he urged.
The royal couple also used the occasion to remind Iteso of the importance of civic duty and national unity.
“Our culture teaches us responsibility and foresight,” Emorimor Emolot noted. “We must plan ahead. We must ensure no one in our families is left behind in this exercise.”
He appealed to clan leaders, elders, religious leaders, and local authorities to help mobilize communities and spread information about the registration centres and schedules.
“We need to support government initiatives that are for our own good,” he said. “Let us work together in unity and responsibility.”
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