KAMPALA – Mr Joseph Biribonwa has been appointed the chairperson of the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA).
Mr Biribonwa, who served as the commissioner of the Electoral Commission between 2002 and 2009, replaces Prof. Peter Kasenene who resigned his position in 2018. Ms. Ruth Nvumetta Kavuma has been serving in an acting role since then.
Mr Biribonwa’s appointment and those of other board members were approved by Cabinet in a meeting held on Monday, January 13, 2020.
Ms Kavuma will remain the board vice-chairperson while Dr. Betty Kivumbi Nannyonga has been appointed a board member. Other board members are Maj. Gen. Apollo Kasita-Gowa, a representative of the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control; Mr. James Saaka, the representative of NITA (U); Mr. Bemanya Twebaze, a representative of the Uganda Registration Services Bureau; Dr. Paul Kintu, representative of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Dr. Chris Ndatira Mukiza – Representative of Uganda Bureau of Statistics.
The previous NIRA board was inaugurated on June 8, 2015 by the then internal affairs minister, Gen. Aronda Nyakairima, with nine members. They included Ms Kavuma, Justice Simon Byabakama Mugenyi; James Saaka, the executive director NITA-U and Dr Benon Mutambi the permanent secretary internal affairs ministry. Others were Ben Paul Mungyereza, Gama, Bemanya Twebaze, Partrick Kabunakuki and Enid Edroma, the board secretary.
Cabinet has also approved the appointment of members of the Board of Directors for the National Animal Genetic Resources Center (NAGRC) and Data Bank. Dr. Johnson Nkuuhe is the board chairperson. Dr. Juliet Sentumbwe, the Director Animal Resources, Mr. Paul Ssekyewa, representative of the Fish breeders, Dr. Herman Sekiwunga, representative of the Animal breeders and Dr. James Oluka, a representative of the National Agriculture Research Organization, are other members.
Eng. Ssenozi Robert, the representative of farmers in Central region, Dr. Kibeedi Kabral, representative of Farmers in the Eastern region, Mr. Ben Anyama, a representative of farmers in the northern region, Ms. Loice Biira Bwambale, representative of farmers in the Western region, Ms. Teddy Alako, representative of the Ministry of Finance Planning and Economic Development, Dr. Richard Akule, the representative of the Uganda National Artificial Insemination Technicians Association, and Dr. Charles Lagu, the secretary, complete the list.