Some residents from three districts in Rwanda’s Southern Province, who were among the first to participate in the correction of their personal information to prepare for receiving the new digital national ID, say they are eagerly waiting for it and believe it will help solve several challenges they have been facing.
This exercise began in the districts of Huye, Gisagara, and Nyanza, where residents are correcting their personal information already registered in the database of the National Identification Agency (NIDA).
Enok Mugisha, one of the residents who took part in this activity, said the new digital ID will make it easier for citizens to access public services.
He said, “Sometimes when you go to request a service, you find that your ID has mistakes or doesn’t show all the necessary information. Bringing this new and modern system closer to us will really help us get services quickly and efficiently.”
Niyonzima Jean Claude also noted that this initiative shows a positive direction in improving service delivery, which is one of the goals of the Rwandan government.
He said, “This digital ID will help the government access our information faster, and it will also make it easier for us to get different services, such as opening a bank account, applying for a passport, and many others.”
However, while citizens appreciate this program, some of them mentioned challenges they encountered during the correction process, such as poor internet connectivity, which delayed the service and forced some to return home without being served.
Uwimana Chantal, from Busasamana Sector in Nyanza District, said: “We came early in the morning with all our required documents, but the internet kept going off several times. Some people went back home without being helped. We hope this will be improved so that everyone can get their new ID properly.”
Hategekimana Thaddée added that some residents discovered that their information did not match what was written in civil registry books, forcing them to bring additional supporting documents.
He said, “Some found that their names were written differently from what appears in civil records, and they were asked to return with documents that prove the correct information. This takes time and costs money.”
Mutijima Bernard, an official supervising this activity in the Southern Province, said the reported issues are being addressed and the process is improving day by day.
He stated, “The problems we’ve seen are mostly due to weather conditions or other small technical issues, but we’re fixing them as they arise. As time goes on, everything is gradually improving since the program has just started.”
This Digital ID project, which is expected to cost over Rwf 101 billion, aims to enhance the way citizens’ information is collected and managed, allowing it to be used efficiently across different services.
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