The Ugandan government has committed to amending specific sections of the 2005 Access to Information Act to enhance transparency and ensure free access to information. This aims to align the legislation with contemporary standards and practices, reflecting the evolving needs of society and promoting greater accountability. By modernizing the Act, the government seeks to improve citizens’ access to information and foster a culture of openness in governance.
This pledge by the government follows a call from civil society organizations, led by the Africa Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC), urging the swift amendment of the law as recommended by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
During a keynote speech at Makerere University commemorating the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI), Minister for ICT and National Guidance, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, emphasized the importance of revising existing laws to accommodate emerging technologies and address concerns regarding access fees that may be prohibitive for some individuals.
“There are concerns that we put some fees for Ugandans to access particular pieces of information, which fees sometimes can be prohibitive for some individuals,” Dr. Baryomunsi said. “These have to be looked at to ensure we make it easy for any person in Uganda to access information, especially that information which is in the hands of government.”
Dr. Baryomunsi added that since the enactment of the law, there has been significant digital evolution, necessitating amendments to accommodate emerging technologies. “We have to amend the law to accommodate emerging technologies, as they also affect some of these legislations and other policies we drafted earlier.”
He pledged to consider the recommendations and proposals from the engagement, stating that they will be used in the process of amending the law. Minister Baryomunsi also assured that the government will review all media and communication-related laws to remove outdated provisions and enhance the quality of communication.
In response to Gilbert Sendugwa, Executive Director of AFIC, who called for government collaboration with stakeholders to establish an oversight body, Baryomunsi affirmed that the government will work with stakeholders to enhance oversight and create an effective appeal mechanism.
Gilbert Sendugwa emphasized that the current Access to Information law is outdated and needs revision to align with contemporary trends. “The current law requires that every minister submits annual reports to parliament on information requests that they have received within that year and also says that where information request has been denied, the minister should explain to parliament.”
Sendugwa added, “We think that an amendment of this access to information act is going to be very helpful, so that instead of ministers reporting to Parliament, the agencies report to the oversight body, and then the oversight body can follow up with those agencies and then report to Parliament, and then parliament is able to discuss that report from that provision.”
In June last year, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights recommended that Uganda amend the 2005 Access to Information Act to align it with the Model Law on Access to Information for Africa.
In a message delivered by Simeo Nsubuga from the Uganda Human Rights Commission, he emphasized that access to information is essential for an empowered citizenry. Nsubuga stated that in their 26th annual report, they made several amendments, including changes to the Access to Information Act.
“In our 26th annual report on the state of human rights in the country, the commission dedicated a whole chapter (chapter 2) to accessing the observance, protection, and promotion of this freedom,” Nsubuga said. “Among the findings in our annual report are concerns over media freedoms regarding internet use, online gender-based violence, harassment, intimidation, and regulations.”
The event marking Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) was themed “Mainstreaming Access to Information and Participation in the Public Sector.” It was jointly organized by the Africa Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC), the Uganda Human Rights Commission, Twaweza, the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, and Makerere University.
