TUHIIRIRWE ROGERS
At the commemoration of the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) at Makerere University, hosted by the Department of Journalism and Communication, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, Minister of ICT and National Guidance, addressed critical issues regarding access to information. The event, themed “Mainstreaming Access to Information and Participation in the Public Sector,” brought attention to the gaps between government institutions and the public, with a particular focus on the flow of information.
Dr. Baryomunsi emphasized the need for the government to bridge the communication gap with its citizens. “Information and communication have evolved over time,” he noted. “What we used to access is different from the information the public receives now. There has been a digital revolution. We, as the government, need to understand that many people don’t know what certain ministries do, and it’s our responsibility to inform and educate the public about the services we provide to all Ugandans.”
To address this issue, the Minister announced the launch of a new television program called “The FrontPage,” which will air on UBC. This initiative will feature various ministries, providing a platform to inform and sensitize the public about the roles and functions of different government departments. “There is a huge information gap between what the government does and what the public knows,” Baryomunsi stated. He also expressed concern about the poor working conditions for journalists, including low pay and delayed salaries, which he identified as contributing factors to the spread of misinformation and propaganda. The Minister urged young people to embrace digital transformation as a tool for personal growth, rather than using it to criticize government officials.
Findings from a recent Twaweza report were presented during the event, shedding light on community priorities when it comes to information-seeking. The study, which surveyed 2,741 respondents, revealed that most community meetings focused on issues related to security (42%), water (22%), and sanitation (22%). However, many citizens were less engaged with government programs like the Women’s Empowerment Fund or the Parish Development Model, often citing a lack of information about the meetings or time constraints preventing them from attending.
Justice Deogratious also spoke at the event, underscoring access to information as a fundamental right enshrined in Article 41 of Uganda’s Constitution, as well as the Access to Information Act (2005). He reminded government officials that it is their duty to provide information to citizens in order to promote democratic values and accountability. “Citizens should be able to seek and request information held by almost any government body,” he stressed, while also calling for a review of policies that impose fees for accessing information. Deogratious also criticized the 21-day waiting period for citizens to take legal action if denied information, highlighting that this timeframe is impractical in an age of fast-emerging technology. He further warned the public against seeking information restricted under Article 41, which includes matters related to national security, privacy, defamation, and hate speech.
Dr. Adolf Mbaine, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Journalism and Communication, urged the public to remain vigilant about their rights to access information. He warned that if the public fails to protect these rights, the government may further restrict access, particularly in cases where journalists are denied information. He called for the revision of the Access to Information Act (2005) to reflect current realities, such as pending court cases over information access, and adapt to new trends in technology and communication.
The commemoration highlighted the ongoing challenges in ensuring access to information and the importance of transparent communication between the government and the public. The discussions underscored the need for policy updates and greater public awareness to safeguard this fundamental right in Uganda’s evolving digital landscape.