By Johnson Kanyesige
The Uganda Human Rights Commission and the Africa Freedom of Information Centre are calling for a speedy review of the Access to Information Act saying it is largely out of touch with the current local and global situations.
Uganda enacted the law in 2005, and since then, according to experts, many issues have come up, including changes in information technology, among others.
Mariam Wangadya, the UHRC Chairperson says the law review is needed to deal with issues that are arising out of the growing importance of digitization and information technology including media freedoms on the use of the internet, online gender-based violence, harassment, intimidation and regulation, as well as delay in responding the requests for information.
These are also contained in the agency’s latest annual report.
Speaking at a commemorative event organized by the Africa Freedom of Information Centre, Twaweza and Makerere University, Wangadya appealed against name-calling, body-shaming, hate speech, and negative gender connotation and created a society that facilitated the free flow of information.
In a statement read for her by Commissioner Simeon Nsubuga, she also criticized the criminalization of journalists on issues that should be civil by nature, including libel and defamation, which she said could even scare younger people away from the profession.
Gilbert Sendugwa, the Africa Freedom of Information Centre Executive Director, said denial of access to information can kill the progress of a nation as information is the blood of the country.
He said that unfortunately, the current law is outdated and needs review, saying for example, it does not provide for an oversight over access to information, leaving an aggrieved party with only the option of going to court.
This comes as Uganda joins the World to mark the International Day for Universal Access to Information which falls on September 28.
