Govt strengthens digital registration of vital events

DODOMA: THE Registration, Insolvency and Trusteeship Agency (RITA) is enhancing digital registration of vital events to ensure wider access to identification and essential services.

Minister for Constitutional and Legal Affairs, Dr Juma Homera, said the progress is driven by sustained government investment in RITA systems, increased public awareness and improved access to services.

He was speaking yesterday in Dodoma during the national commemoration of the African Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) Day 2026.

Dr Homera said the initiative seeks to ensure registration services reach all citizens regardless of location or economic status, in line with the National Development Vision 2050.

He noted that the commemoration provides a platform to raise awareness on the importance of registering births, deaths, marriages, divorces and adoptions.

“Registration of vital events is a mark of dignity for every citizen and a foundation for national planning,” he said, adding that reliable statistics are essential for development.

According to him, birth registration has risen from 55 per cent in 2020 to 68 per cent in 2025, with the government targeting 100 per cent coverage by 2030.

He commended RITA for strengthening coordination of registration services and building systems that ensure secure, accurate and accessible information.

RITA Chief Executive Officer, Mr Frank Kanyusi, said the commemoration aims to boost awareness and accelerate registration of events immediately after they occur.

He said the agency has brought services closer to people, including targeting groups with special needs.

As part of the event, RITA registered and issued birth certificates to 161 children with special needs at Kikombo National Children’s Home in Dodoma and 320 children from Mtwango Ward in Mufindi District, Iringa Region.

Mr Kanyusi said public response has increased following the introduction of a 48- hour service for issuing birth and death certificates launched on December 12, 2025.

Between the launch and August 9, 2026, RITA received 776,698 applications, including 756,570 for birth registration and 20,127 for death registration.

Out of these, 755,973 applications met the requirements and were processed within 48 working hours, representing 97.3 per cent.

Of the successful applications, 737,416 were births and 18,556 were deaths.

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However, 20,725 applications were returned for corrections due to missing information or supporting documents, including 19,154 birth-related and 1,571 death-related cases.

Kikombo National Children’s Home Manager, Mr Darius Kalijongo, commended the government for ensuring children with special needs receive birth certificates.

He said the documents guarantee recognition and access to services such as education, healthcare, employment and housing.

“This will enable the children to obtain other identification documents, including National Identification cards, access higher education loans and participate fully in social and economic activities,” he said.

This year’s CRVS Day is being marked under a theme that emphasises integration, decentralisation and digital technologies to expand access, improve data quality and support evidence-based planning.

The theme underscores the importance of modern systems in strengthening service delivery and ensuring inclusive national development.