HOW RELEVANT IS THE ACCESS TO INFORMATION (ATI) ACT

The Access to Information Act (ATI) is instrumental in empowering the public to effectively scrutinize & participate in government decision making processes that affect them and to protect persons disclosing evidence of contravention of the law.

Patrick speaking at the training

Speaking at the one day training in ATI Patrick Tumwine a board member of Africa freedom of Information Centre noted that Access to information is a right that can only be exercised by demanding for information. Patrick also noted that Access to information is not a media law but a law for every citizen to demand for their entitlements and it is guaranteed by the 1995 Constitution of the Republic of Uganda.

The one day training organized by Africa freedom of Information Centre was held at Jerusalem hotel on 10/04/13. Africa freedom of Information Centre is a pan African organization that promotes the right to access to information, which is aimed at paving way for an efficient, effective, transparent government.  The Centre also drafts and analyses access to information related documents.

The purpose of the training was to introduce and or refresh the participants on the importance of the ATI and to create understanding on its different provisions therein.

During the training participants (who included CSO organizations operating in Fort portal and the Kabarole district local government staff) were taken through various topics; they ranged from the the ATI is and its importance, the different provisions in the ACT, how to use it and the relationship between access to information and the advancement of socio-economic rights.

In his sharing Patrick gave an overview of the ATI Act. Among others Patrick mentioned that in seeking for information, the law provides that if the information sought for is not provided within 21 days, it passes for denial of information and in that case stern measures can be taken against the person that failed to provide the information.

Explaining the relationship between access to information and the advancement of socio-economic rights, the facilitator and Program Officer of Africa freedom of Information Centre Mr. Peter Nsekengi mentioned that the ATI Act creates conditions in which government policies about resource allocation are challenged.

Peter noted that according to a UNDP report effective anti-poverty programs require accurate information on problems hindering development to be in the public domain. Adding that without adequate and authentic information one can’t form an opinion on the allocation of district resources as individuals or as CSOs.

In advocating for socio-economic rights it’s important to understand that the ACT provides means to seek explanation as to why decisions have been taken by whom and with what consequences. Summing up his presentation Peter strongly asserted that without information one cannot advocate for policy change; calling upon all CSOs and individuals to update themselves with the ATI Act if they must realize results in policy advocacy.

Closing the training the Kabarole District Information Officer thanked AFIC for the training. She noted many times CSOs have not utilized her office for information wondering what

Lillian giving her closing remarks at the training

information they use to guide their implementation in the district. Among others decried the poor reading culture of the citizens that she said is the biggest hinderance to access to information. Lillian however noted that there is need for massive popularization of the ATI Act through the mass media. She appealed to the CSOs and all other development partners to incorporate this into their work plans.