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Paper short abstract:

This paper explores how a new hierarchy of legal IDs in Uganda, topped by the National Identification Document, has diminished the value of a much wider range of forms of recognition. This has generated structural discrimination and escalated selective inequalities among citizens. (286 characters)

Paper long abstract:

The range of IDs within Uganda's overall national registration ecosystem over time have included but are not limited to: birth registration cards, local council village cards, residence IDs, baptism cards, voter's card, tax payment slip, driver's license, citizens' passport and others acceptable in various formal and informal spaces. Together they have all contributed to shaping Uganda's citizenship identification journey, with each ID serving a unique and distinct function for the legitimate owner.

However, there is distorted interpretation of citizen identification based on the overlapping legal identification systems and an ever increasing anxiety especially among vulnerable social groups such as the Ghetto youths. This is triggered by the hierarchization of different forms of identification documents, that has come to position the recently introduced National Identification Document (NID) as the most prominent, and now a prerequisite for acquisition of the majority other legally recognized IDs.

The main argument of this paper therefore, is that the hierarchization of legal IDs has disenfranchised many among the vulnerable groups of citizens and escalated the already existing inequalities and exclusions. In turn, some have resorted to illegal activities to survive, but also in a bid to project a tough outlook and conceal their vulnerabilities. 'Twebereremu' slogan is chanted to inspire resilience and hard work among the neglected. This is based on eight months of fieldwork in Kamwokya and Bwaise slums, with the ghetto youths as my primary respondents. ( 232 words)