Uganda's biometric national ID system has been used by the government to target critics of President Yoweri Museveni, according to human rights lawyer Nick Opiyo[1]. Opiyo was arrested in 2020 after his organization collected evidence of extrajudicial killings by security forces during the 2021 election. He believes the charges of money laundering and tax evasion were fabricated to silence his criticism of the government[1].

The ID system, which requires biometric data like fingerprints and facial images to be stored in a centralized database, has raised serious privacy concerns[2]. It is mandatory to have a national ID to access essential services like healthcare, education, banking, and the internet[2][3]. However, over 15 million Ugandans still lack an ID card, putting them at risk of being excluded from these services[3][4].

Vulnerable groups like the elderly, disabled, and pregnant women have faced particular difficulties enrolling and have been denied services without an ID[3][4]. A lawsuit filed by civil society groups argues the mandatory ID system violates citizens' rights by denying access to healthcare and welfare benefits[4].

The government plans to upgrade the ID cards to include more biometric data like palm prints and eye scans[3]. Critics warn this centralized database could enable unprecedented surveillance and repression of dissent if not properly safeguarded[2]. The rollout of the ID system has also been plagued by technical issues, corruption, and lack of funding[5][6].

Sources [1] Uganda's Sweeping Surveillance State Is Built on National ID Cards https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2024-06-04/uganda-yoweri-museveni-s-critics-targeted-via-biometric-id-system [2] Serious Concerns Around Uganda's National Biometric ID Program https://law.yale.edu/isp/initiatives/wikimedia-initiative-intermediaries-and-information/wiii-blog/serious-concerns-around-ugandas-national-biometric-id-program [3] Uganda's Digital ID System Hinders Citizens' Access to Social ... https://cipesa.org/2023/10/ugandas-digital-id-system-hinders-citizens-access-to-social-services/ [4] Uganda sued over digital ID system that excludes millions https://news.trust.org/item/20220513155511-l53t0/ [5] Criticisms as Uganda orders ID verification for digital financial ... https://www.biometricupdate.com/202404/criticisms-as-uganda-orders-id-verification-for-digital-financial-transactions-of-260-and-above [6] Uganda biometric ID rollout may be hampered by lack of funds https://www.biometricupdate.com/202402/uganda-biometric-id-rollout-may-be-hampered-by-lack-of-funds-lawmakers