Uganda Communications Commission has lifted a ban on sale of Sim cards after the National Identification and Registration Authority- NIRA and telecom companies proved able to match and verify customer's information against the national identification database.
The ability to verify information follows the provision of connectivity to the Application Programming Interface (API) at NIRA, according to the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC).
Godfrey Mutabazi, the Executive Director Uganda Communications Commission in his communication to telecom companies says NIRA can now match and conduct real time online verification of customer's information with the national identification database.
Mutabazi further says simcard users seeking to acquire, replace or upgrade their simcard should appear to the telecom operator in person with an original national identification card. The operator is then expected to match the ID data using the electronic card reader and obtain real time online verification from the NIRA database through the API.
However, Mutabazi says in a case where the operator is unable to conduct real time online verification of the customer's information, the operator shouldn't proceed with the upgrade on renewal of the simcard.
"The Commission reminds all operators to strictly comply with all the aforesaid conditions. Operators shall be individually held liable for any SIM Card registered, upgraded or replaced contrary to these guidelines." Reads his letter.
Meanwhile, non-Ugandan applicants are also required to physically appear and present their original Passports, with a valid visa or resident permit. They are also required to present a recent passport photograph, which shall be attached to the SIM Card registration form.
"The simcard issued should only be active for the period of the validity of the customer's Visa or resident permit. The Operator must deactivate the SIM Card upon expiry of the customer's Visa or resident permit," reads the notice.
