General - Africa Freedom of Information Centre

Driving Collective Impact: AFIC and members Launch Working Groups to Tackle Africa’s Governance Challenges

Across Africa, communities are demanding transparency, accountability, and inclusion in governance. Yet, despite growing commitments under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, gaps persist. Citizens continue to face barriers to information, women and marginalized groups are excluded from opportunities, corruption undermines trust, and climate change threatens progress. To respond with […]

Rubanda district: Strengthening Uganda’s democracy through Access to Information

Between 4 and 8 August 2025, the Africa Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC), with support from Twaweza Uganda, delivered Access to Information (ATI) trainings in Rubanda District. These sessions targeted both the demand side (civil society and journalists) and the supply side (parish chiefs and community development officers). Through building the capacity of citizens to […]

Multistakeholder Dialogue for Ending Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists in Uganda

📅 Date: November 2, 2024📍 Location: Kampala, Uganda Organized in collaboration with UNESCO, OHCHR, Uganda National Commission for UNESCO, the dialogue aims to collaborate on creating a 5-year action plan that ensures the safety of journalists and fortifies fundamental human rights in Uganda. Together, we can make a difference! 💪

Press statement: IDUAI 2024

Commemorating International Day for Universal Access to Information in Uganda 2024 Kampala, Uganda 25 September, 2024– To mark the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI), the Ministry of ICT&NG, Makerere University’s Department of Journalism and Communications, Ugandan Human Rights Commission, the Africa Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC), and Twaweza Uganda will host a […]

Contracts Monitoring: Paving the Way for an Empowered Ghanaian citizenry-GACC

Introduction An informed citizenry is a pivotal force in shaping a nation’s developmental trajectory. Underthe Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2019 (Act 989) of Ghana, every citizen is empowered torequest information held by public and certain private institutions performing public functions.Furthermore, the RTI law, a critical anti-corruption tool, aims to enhance transparency withinpublic administration. Simultaneously, […]

We are Hiring: Resource person to develop an Impact video documentary

Africa Freedom of Information Centre is seeking to engage experienced and highly skilled resource persons to develop high end impact documentaries in project countries; Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia and Rwanda. The resource person to undertake the task is required to be a local resident for that country. Background Under its intervention, for inclusion of Women-Led […]

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The Hurdles to Women’s Participation in Public Procurement in Uganda: What Solutions Have Been Proposed?

Public procurement is a critical part of the economy, and all members of society must have access to opportunities in this sector. However, women in Uganda suffer many barriers to engaging in public procurement. The Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act, 2003 governs the public procurement process in Uganda. The public procurement process […]

Make Procurements of Digital Technology Systems Transparent and Competitive

Op-Ed In June 2021 the president of Uganda gave a directive to install digital motoring systems in all motorcycles and vehicles as means to crack down on rising insecurity in the country. However, reports indicate that Joint Stock Company Global Security that was awarded the 10-year contract to install digital monitoring system is facing bankruptcy […]

Open Tender: A data-driven approach to risk detection and early warning in public procurement

Corruption is the silent destruction of a nation! In countries worldwide, it has been shown that when there’s corruption in politics and economics, many people suffer. Corrupt governments stifle economic growth by diverting resources away from programs that benefit society as a whole; this means less access to education, healthcare, and other essential social services […]

Local Government Transparency and Accountability: How Mbale District Local Government is making people feel involved in the growth and development of the district.

The Government of Uganda has decentralized the power to develop the nation’s resources to the district level under the principles of responsive and open local government. This has enhanced transparency, accountability, and citizen participation. Districts are expected to use the resources in the district to improve the lives of people. A district is the smallest […]

What does the public know about transparency and safeguards in the procurement & deployment of Digital Technology Systems in Africa?

Press Release AFIC released its research report “Sunlight in Digital Technologies”. This report analyzes data gathered through triangulation from varied secondary and primary sources, using an exploratory research design combining a scoping review of grey and published literature with key informant interviews and a survey in Uganda, Liberia, and Nigeria to assess what the public knows about […]

Countering threats of violence and crimes against journalists to protect freedom of expression for all: Commemorating the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists 2021

A global network of major news organizations, press freedom organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), activists, and journalists is working together to safeguard everyone’s right to free expression. However, journalists’ capacity to conduct their work is being harmed by violence, intimidation, harassment, and censorship. Vigils are being organized to honor journalists who have been slain in the […]

3rd Regional Meeting for Sub-Saharan Africa Discusses Experiences in Facilitating Access to Information from Uganda, Nigeria and Rwanda

What are effective ways civil society can advance access to information at the national level? What are the obstacles to effective access to information? These questions were at the center of the third regional meeting on access to information for the Sub-Saharan Africa region, attended by 15 civil society representatives from across the continent. As […]

Namibia: Access to Information Bill Resubmitted

The Access to Information Bill has been reintroduced in the National Assembly (NA) for discussion, following its initial tabling early last year. Although the bill was submitted to parliament last year, parliamentarians did not discuss it because of COVID-19 lockdowns restricting parliamentary sessions. The access to information bill aims to promote the public’s free access […]

Concern Rises on Exorbitant Fees to Access Public Information in Uganda.

Organizations promoting access to information and journalists have asked government to prevail over Public offices charging exorbitantly for access of information in Public interest. The Access to information Act provides that information should be mandatorily disclosed in Public interest at no fee. Although the act also provides for fees for the information duplication for instance […]

Public Access to Information Should Be Free for All.

Whereas public support for freedom of expression is strong and growing, a large majority of citizens still hold the view that government should only be able to restrict access to information when that information is vital to national security but it should not use it as a cover for wrongdoing and fear of its officials […]

Media lauds AFIC, TWAWEZA for Driving the Access To Information Agenda in East Africa.

As East Africa prepares to join the rest of the world to commemorate 28th September 2021, the 2nd International Day for Universal Access to Information [IDUAI 2021], the media fraternity commended Twaweza East Africa and Africa Freedom for information Centre [AFIC] which are spearheading this campaign for coming out strongly in pushing government to implement […]

Uganda Human Rights Commission calls for free internet access.

Kampala, Uganda The Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) has called for the establishment of free internet access facilities in all districts of Uganda. The call comes as Uganda prepares to join the world to commemorate the International Day for Universal Access to Information on September 28, under the theme: The Right to Know: Building Back Better […]

AFIC Urges Uganda Government to Relax Restrictions on Access to Information as a Public Good

AFIC has reminded government that an informed public shall always make informed decisions that subsequently leads to economic development of that country and that a society which is deprived of vital information will always remain backward. Mr. Gilbert Sendugwa made these remarks yesterday during the launching ceremony for the national campaign to commemorate the International […]

AFIC and Partners Launch a Campaign to Commemorate the International Day For Universal Access to Information 2021.

Africa Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC) and partners- the Office of United Nations High Commissioner, UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa, the African Union Commission, the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance and Twaweza East Africa have today, the 14th of September 2021 launched The Right to Know campaign in commemoration of the International Day […]

Commemorating IDUAI 2021: Building Back Better with Access to Information

The International Day of Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) will be commemorated on the 28th of September 2021. IDUAI is an opportunity to highlight the importance of expanding access to information laws and their implementation worldwide, in order to build back strong institutions for sustainable development and uphold the vision of information as a public […]

Why public Access to Information also matters for Public Officials

”Over the past ten years of my work on access to information- campaigning for adoption of access to information laws, training public officials, civil society organisations and journalists and researching- I have learnt that public access to information is as important for public officials as it is for ordinary citizens in various ways.” First, it […]

UNESCO and partners re-affirm commitment to promote Access to Information and Fundamental Freedoms in Eastern Africa.

August 23, 2021 Kampala, Uganda Over 100 participants from Eastern Africa and beyond representing line Ministries, Parastatals, Agencies, Parliament, Private Sector, Civil society Organizations, Media, and the UN system have re-affirmed their commitment to promote access to information and protection of fundamental freedoms in Eastern Africa. The commitment was made during a three-day online training […]

Russia: Letter in solidarity with Ivan Pavlov

Africa Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC) is pleased to join over 90 other organisations and individuals in endorsing a letter in solidarity with Ivan Pavlov, a Russian human rights activist and lawyer who has been criminally charged with disclosing data of a preliminary investigation which has been declared secret. The likely reason for these charges […]

Category: General