By Peter Okwalinga

Kampala: The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) and the Parliament of Uganda came together for a friendly football match today, at the Philip Omondi Stadium in Lugogo, the home of KCC football club. The match served as an opportunity for both organizations to build relationships while showcasing NIRA’s registration services.

As part of its routine norm, NIRA set up a stall at the stadium to provide registration services, including national ID registrations, NIN registrations for minors including just born babies, and civil registration services such as birth and death registrations. Parents and applicants attending the match were able to enjoy the game while receiving NIRA’s services on-site.

The parliamentary sports team graciously accepted NIRA’s invitation for the friendly match. Honorable Asuman Basalirwa, the Chairperson of the parliamentary sports club, expressed gratitude to NIRA for initiating the match. He highlighted that engaging in matches with different communities aligns with their practice of providing social services and fostering relationships.

Honorable Basalirwa thanked the NIRA team for their display of skill and teamwork. Mrs. Agatha Mutenyo, representing the Executive Director of NIRA, expressed her joy and gratitude for the successful event. She emphasized that such initiatives serve as part of NIRA’s communication strategy to raise awareness about the institution’s mandate of registration of persons.

Mr. Edwin Tukamuhabwe, the Manager of Registration and Operations Field Support, extended his appreciation to the Parliament for accepting NIRA’s request for a match. He encouraged other Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to adopt similar initiatives, emphasizing that friendly matches not only promote physical fitness but also foster strong relationships among government bodies.

Members of Parliament, including Honorable Francis Mwijukye and Muhammed Nsereko, representing Kampala Central, actively participated in the game. They commended NIRA for its team spirit despite having a diverse workforce across the country. Honorable Nsereko called on the authority to embrace routine training and participate in a variety of sports.

The match concluded with a 3:1 victory in favor of the Parliament of Uganda, a result acknowledged by Mr. Edwin Tukamuhebwa the NIRA team captain.

The Manager of Public Relations and Corporate Affairs, Mr. Osborn Mushabe, along with a team comprising Senior Registration Officer- Central, Mr. Darius Turyahikayo, Martin Kasibante, Richard Rwamasika, and others, played a pivotal role in organizing and coordinating the NIRA team for the event.

The friendly football match between NIRA and the Parliament of Uganda exemplified the importance of fostering relationships through sports. It not only provided an opportunity for physical activity but also promoted collaboration and camaraderie among government entities.