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Disclaimer / Limitations
This country’s legal measures were reviewed by our legal staff in consultation with in-country lawyers and/or CRVS legal experts. All efforts were made to ensure the accuracy of the legal analysis, however, if you consider there to be any discrepancies or if there have been changes in the law of the country since our staff last updated the legal analysis, we welcome any additional information or insights. Please contact us via this form.
Birth Registration
Uganda
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Uganda
Birth Registration
Certificates and Related Services
Certificates and Related Services
Certified Copies
Is the first copy of birth certificate provided free of charge?
Yes
Recommended Practice based on International Guidelines
Legislation should require the registrar, upon completion of registration, to issue an original birth certificate to the parents of the child free of charge. Ideally, the local registrar has the power to issue a birth certificate, as this will shorten the time frame for certificate issuance.
The birth certificate is issued on application by the National Identification and Registration Authority; no specific official is specified in the law. There is a sliding scale of fees for the issue of a birth certificate that is tied to the time of birth registration. A birth certificate is free for a child registered up to the age of 6 months, but there are graduallly increasing fees for birth certificates issued in respect of later birth registration. There are differing fees for citizens and foreigners, but no fee is charged at any stage for a child born to a refugee.
Is a Unique Personal Identifier (UPI) assigned at birth?
Yes
Recommended Practice based on International Guidelines
The UN guidance recommends that a unique personal identifier (UPI) is assigned and entered into the birth record for every child born within the territory of the country, regardless of citizenship, ethnicity, nationality, or residency status. This facilitates the linkage of records in the CR and ID systems.
A unique identification number is assigned to all persons upon registration of their birth by a registration officer. There are two types of numbers: a National Identification Number for a citizen of Uganda and an Alien Identification Number for a non-citizen. The law is silent on the system for generating these numbers.
Registration Linked to Access to Key Services and Other Incentives
Is proof of birth registration required in order to access any public services?
No
Recommended Practice based on International Guidelines
Birth certificate should be requested for child immunizations and wellness checks. Absence of a birth certificate should not prevent the child from accessing healthcare.
The law permits any government ministry, department, agency or institution to require production of a birth certificate in relation to the exercise of its functions, and to condition services on the provision of a birth certificate or other proof of birth. In contrast, the law makes it mandatory to produce a national identification card to access a broad list of specific government services such as employment, opening of bank accounts, pension and social security transactions, and issuance of passport. The register of births is a component of the National Identification Register.
Is proof of birth registration required by law to issue a national ID card?
No
Recommended Practice based on International Guidelines
For those born in the country, birth registration should be required in order to register for a national ID. For refugees, migrants or stateless persons born outside the country and lacking proof of birth registration from country of origin, the law should provide alternative means to validate their identity and obtain identity credentials.
A birth certificate or other proof of birth registration is not required when applying for an ID, but the National Identification and Registration Authority may require an applicant to produce a birth certificate, a voter’s card, a driving permit, a passport, a baptismal certificate or other prescribed documents to verify the information that is provided in the application. In the absence of satisfactory documents, a relative of the applicant or a person prescribed by the Minister may identify the applicant under oath. Note that the register of births is a component of the National Identification Register.
