News - Africa Freedom of Information Centre

Ghana Parliament delays RTI Bill debate

The Ghana parliament has postponed the debate on the RTI bill over fears of possible abuse related to the exemption clauses. The decision has been taken in order to give parliamentarians room for extensive consultations. Members disagreed on one of the ten clauses relating to the exemptions for the Office of the President, his Vice […]

Disclosure of election funding necessary

Although elections and access to information are critical issues of governance, to access information on election funding is quite challenging in Uganda and Sengal. This is because of the absence of a law that mandates the practice. From the study conducted by AFIC and Article 19 West Africa on election financing in Uganda and […]

Political Inteferance Hindering Success of Government Projects

Public projects and contracts are intended to improve the lives and livelihoods of the citizens in the country. However, most of the public contracts in Uganda don’t fully achieve their goal due to political interference from leaders who have become the main beneficiaries instead of the citizens. Speaking during a stakeholder workshop on enhancing […]

Kenyan Assembly approves Access to Information bill

On Thursday 28th April, the Kenya National Assembly remarkably approved the Access to information Bill. The bill allows the public to seek for any information from government, and obligates public servants to make sure they provide that information, or risk bulky fines or jail terms. In addition, the bill gives government authority to reject any […]

Oaths of Secrecy a challenge in access to information and Open Contracting, Nebbi

During the stakeholder workshop on access to information and open contracting in Nebbi district, participants noted that public officials do not release information requested from them. However, in shield one of the public officials, Patrick Wamala, senior education officer Nebbi, noted that the nature of contracts they signed do not permit them to reveal the […]

Ghana Court orders disclosures based on the Constitution provision

A human rights court in Ghana has ordered for the disclosure of the controversial contract between the Ministry of Transport and Smartyy’s Productions for the rebranding of 116 buses, and documents relating to the contract, following legal action by seven Ghanaians and citing the below stated article. The ruling states: “… under Article 21(1) […]

Mali in the process of creating a media watchdog

On Tuesday April 13th 2016, during the 58th Session, the ACHPR’s deliberated on Mali’s State Report. The Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information and also the Chairperson to the commission appreciated the plurality of media in Mali. However, she sought clarity on some issues among which put to task […]

Redesigned Nigerian Website to receive online FOI requests

Right To Know (R2K), Nigeria and the Bureau for Public Service Reforms (BPSR) have launched a Freedom of Information portal designed to receive electronic FOI requests to the bureau. Being the first of its kind by any public institution in Nigeria, the innovative website has made it possible for the BPSR to fulfill its various […]

Togo votes for freedom of access to information law

The Togo National Assembly voted for a law on the freedom of access to information and public material. Although the constitution and other laws in Togo protect the freedom of speech and the press, enforcement has been problematic for a very long time. Togo did not have a law guaranteeing access to information, and […]

Tunisia Assembly approves Freedom of Information law

The Assembly of people’s representatives has overwhelmingly adopted the freedom of information law with a vote of 123-0 despite of no abstention. However, the bill has undergone several amendments before its passage and these include: • Bodies covered. Under Article 3, the bodies have been expanded to include all bodies in Tunisia: Internal or […]

AFIC members elect new Governing Council

The Africa Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC) convened a two day General Assembly in Kampala, Uganda, from the 3-4 March 2016, during which its members elected a new Governing Council. Those elected to the Governing Council are: Mr. Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai (Executive Director of Society for Democratic Initiatives in Sierra Leone) as Chair; Ms […]

Access to information aids tracking of non-delivered teaching and learning materials in Malawi

For close to two years, government schools in the district of Kasungu located in the central region of Malawi were faced chronic shortages of teaching and learning materials despite Parliament’s approval of funds to cater for the need. Resultantly, the delivery and acquisition of knowledge was negatively affected. The critical casualties were the learners. In […]

African Union Human Rights body Urges Malawi, Uganda and Nigeria to Promote Freedom of Expression and Access to Information

The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) has called on the Governments of Malawi, Uganda and Nigeria to implement the right to information and promote freedom of expression in respective countries. The call was contained in ACHPR’s Concluding Observations and Recommendations issued following the consideration of the countries’ respective State Reports during the […]

Malawi Advocacy groups disappointed in Revised ATI bill, desire reverse

The Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) and the Centre for Development of People (Cedep) in a statement made available to Nyasa Times expressed their “disappointment” in the “undemocratic elements” in recently approved ATI bill by cabinet. Citing that vital sections in the bill have been removed by the president referring to them as […]

AFIC CONDEMNS SOCIAL MEDIA BLOCKING IN UGANDA

AFIC condemns Ugandan Authorities for blocking social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp and also mobile network services of sending and receiving money which lasted for three days during the recent presidential and parliamentary elections. This move restricted access to social media as voters went voters went to the polls on the 18th of February 2016 […]

Malawi ATI Bill to rank 15th globally if passed

Malawi’s ATI bill drafted by MISA Malawi, which was released in November 2015 if passed would rank 15th position on the RTI rating. An Analysis of the Bill released by the Centre for Law and Democracy (CLD) shows that the bill has a number of positive features, including a relatively broad scope, strong promotional measures and […]

No law on election finance transparency in Uganda

While conducting the research and interviews on enhancing transparency and accountability of electoral processes in Uganda, AFIC’s Gilbert Sendungwa and Peter Katonene, held a meeting with Uganda Parliament’s Speaker Hon Rebecca Kadaga, below is what transpired. “Show me a law in Uganda that requires me to disclose my source election financing”, Uganda Parliament’s Speaker Hon […]

AFIC is collecting data on election financing in Uganda and Senegal

AFIC is in the process of collecting data on election financing in Uganda and Senegal through conducting interviews and different researches.The process entails holding meetings, discussions and interviews with political party leaders, government officials and various stakeholders to discuss the topic of election funding or financing. Why is this information on Election Financing hard to […]

Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development recognised for being most RTI responsive agency in Uganda

Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development recognised as right to infomation most responsive agency in Uganda

AFIC Welcomes Decision by the African Union and European Union to Support Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa

Africa Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC) welcomes the joint decision of the African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU) to deepen and broaden support for the advancement the right of freedom of expression and access to information in Africa and Europe. This decision was reached during the eleventh Human Rights Dialogue held at […]

International Day for Universal Access to Information: A new Opportunity to Advance Open Governments!

On Tuesday, November 17, 2015 the 38th General Conference of UNESCO adopted a resolution declaring September 28th International Day for Universal Access to Information . Sponsored by Angola, Nigeria and Morocco the resolution also: Invites all Member States, United Nations system organizations, and other international and regional organizations, as well as civil society, including non […]

Legislation to facilitate the Right to information is Vital

During the 57th Session of the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights, AFIC read a statement, following the presentation of Commissioner Pansy Tlakula’s report on freedom of expression and access to information. THE STATEMENT Madame Chairperson, Commissioners, State delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen, Africa Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC) a pan African civil society […]

AFIC Launches 2nd State of Right to Information Report in Africa

Africa Freedom of Information Centre presents the State of Right to Information in Africa 2015 Report. This year’s issue focuses on the right to information and corruption in Africa. The topic was chosen based on the recognition by both the United Nations Convention Against Corruption and the African Union Convention on Combating and Preventing Corruption […]

Statement condemning acts of violence against journalists in South Sudan

South Sudan journalists continue to face acts of violence and intimidation that usually go unpunished. The shooting of Juba journalist Peter Julius Moi in August this year is the latest in a series of murders of media personnel that are not being solved. Mr. Moi was shot twice in the back by gunmen fours day […]

Angola accepts Universal Periodic Review recommendations on amending FOI law

Milestone as key Freedom of Information recommendations on Angola accepted by theUniversal Periodic Review5 June 2015 Africa Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC) welcomes and commends the Government of the Republic of Angola on accepting the Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group recommendation No. 134.41 to amend and effectively implement the country’s Freedom […]

Access to information held by public bodies is still a challenge for ordinary Ugandans

The inhabitants of Bushenyi District in Uganda have seen their right to access information blatantly violated by public bodies; reflecting the plight of thousands of ordinary citizens who wish to hold their leaders accountable. Unusual and suspicious delays in the execution of a contract to build a new stadium in the District of Bushenyi amid […]

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AFIC and PPDC Launch New Report on Open Contracting and Open Government in Africa

KAMPALA– Africa Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC) and Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) are pleased to launch a report, “OGP in Africa: Opportunities for Open Contracting”, The report presents an analysis of the extent to which Open Contracting and Open Budgets are included in respective National Action Plans (NAPs) of African Open Government Partnership […]

AFIC Urges Tanzania to Pass Strong Freedom of Information Law

Africa Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC) urges the United Republic of Tanzania to strengthen the Freedom of Information Bill that is currently before Parliament to bring it in line with regional and international standards. The right to information is also recognized by several African Union treaties ratified by Tanzania. These include the African Charter on […]

Opinion brief: Open Government Movements and Access to Information

The open government principles have risen on the international agenda, becoming an ‘in vogue topic.’ The Open government principles have roots in a civic push for greater transparency and accountability in the decades following the Second World War. The Africa Freedom of Information Centre views the Open Government Partnership as an important platform for the […]

Leading Free Expression Organisations in Africa Call on the ACHPR to Urge Burundi to Respect Human Rights

Banjul/Kampala, May 4, 2015: The Africa Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC), ARTICLE 19, Media Rights Agenda (MRA) and AFIC’s membership of 35 civil society organisations in 22 African countries, concerned about the deteriorating human rights situation in the Republic of Burundi, have today called on the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights […]

Defining Freedom of Expression and Information and Resulting Issues.

In January 2015 Charlie Hebdo, a French satirical weekly magazine, was the focus of the world. Its offices were attacked by violent extremist’s gunmen resulting in a massacre. It is widely believed that the attack was motivated by the magazines publication of cartoons containing satirical depictions of the Prophet Mohammed. As the Western World stood […]

A senior police officer assaults journalists on duty – HRNJ-Uganda Statement

Kampala, 12th/ January/2015; a senior police officer, Joram Mwesigye the Division Police Commander (DPC) for Old Kampala police station has on the 12th January 2015, assaulted two journalists, Lwanga Andrew of Wavah Broadcasting Services (WBS) Television and Joseph Ssettimba working with the government owned Bukedde Television. Lwanga sustained injuries on the head and is currently […]

Statement by AFIC on the terrorist attacks in Paris

The vicious attack on the offices of the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, where 12 people were brutally murdered and 11 people were left wounded, has reminded the world that freedom of expression and freedom of information can never be taken for granted, but that they are principles we need to continuously and tirelessly defend […]

World Bank Signs US$650,000 Grant to AFIC to Strengthen Accountability, Enhance Public Oversight

KAMPALA, December 10, 2014 – The World Bank Country Manager for Uganda, Mr. Moustapha Ndiaye and the Civil Society Organization Coordinator & Head of Secretariat Africa Freedom of Information Centre, Mr. Gilbert Sendugwa, today signed a Global Partnership Social Accountability (GPSA) Grant of $650,000 to enhance transparency and accountability of public contracting in the agriculture, […]

AFIC Welcomes UN Human Rights Council Recommendation to Angola to Amend and Implement Freedom of Information Law

Africa Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC) welcomes United Nations Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review (UPR) draft recommendations No. 134. (40, 47, 56, 64 and 126) on the urgent need for the Government of Angola to amend and strengthen the country’s freedom of information law as well as promote citizens right to information through various […]

Africa Freedom of Information Centre to Launch State of Right to Information in Africa 2014 Report

Kampala, Uganda, 28 September 2014: As information activists around the world celebrate the right to information day on 28 September, Africa Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC) together with its members is pleased to launch the first issue of the State of the Right to Information in Africa Report. This first issue provides a reflection of […]

Uganda Launches Portal To Support Citizens’ Right To Information

The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) through the Ministry of Information and National Guidance launched on 14th August the Ask Your Government (AYG) online platform (www.askyourgov.ug) at the Imperial Royale Hotel, Kampala. AYG is an initiative of the OPM in partnership with Africa Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC) and the Collaboration on […]

AFIC welcomes new members, growing from 27 to 34

AFIC welcomes new Members Africa Freedom of Information Centre’s membership has grown from 27 to 34 following the approval of seven applicants by the Governing Council sitting on July 25, 2014 in Nairobi Kenya. The Governing Council considered eleven applications out which approved seven, requested the Secretariat to obtain additional information from three applicants and […]

Civil Society Demand: Human Rights must be at the Center of the Africa-European Union Relations

Civil Society Demand: Human Rights must be at the Center of the Africa-European Union Relations The themes chosen for Africa-European Union April 2014 Summit reflect what a people-centred Partnership should be: a joint political commitment aimed at securing peace and prosperity for the people of Europe and Africa first and foremost because freedom from poverty […]

Africa Regional Access to Information Conference Concludes with Strong Recommendations

A two-day Africa Regional Conference on Freedom of Information Implementation bringing together over 100 state and non-state actors from Cote d’Ivoire, Kenya, Liberia, Niger, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe, was held in Abuja, Nigeria. The conference discussed and identified some emerging positive trends and clear challenges impeding effective implementation of freedom of […]

Statement – African Platform on Access to Information

The Working Group of the African Platform on Access to Information (APAI) met in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Wednesday, March 5 and Thursday, March 6, 2014. At the end of its meeting, the Working Group unanimously adopted and issued this Statement: 1. The Working Group calls on the African Union (AU) to give effect to […]

Launch of new global campaign to stop secret government contracting

Madrid, Thursday 27 February 2014 – by Access Info Europe Today sees the launch of a new global campaign, Stop Secret Contracts, calling on world leaders to end secrecy in public contracting. The campaign is coordinated by the Open Knowledge Foundation, and signed by Access Info Europe along with signatories including Global Witness, Integrity Action, […]

Côte d’Ivoire adopts Access to Information Law

PRESS RELEASE AFIC Congratulates Côte d’Ivoire on Adoption of Access to Information Law Kampala: February 5, 2014 African Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC) congratulates the Government and people of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire upon the adoption of Access to Information (FOI) law.The adoption of the law is significant not only for Côte d’Ivoire but […]

First General Meeting of Africa Freedom of Expression Exchange – January 2014, Johannesburg

Last week, Africa Freedom of Information Centre hosted the first General Meeting of African Freedom of Expression Exchange (AFEX), a network of African freedom of expression organisations, which are members of the International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX). AFEX mission is to increase the effectiveness of its members in addressing freedom of expression challenges in Africa. […]

Recommendations for Progressive Improvements on RTI

Specialist right to information organisations Access Info Europe and Centre for Law and Democracy led on the drafting of a set of recommendations for progressive improvements to the right to information (RTI) which should be introduced by governments participating in the Open Government Partnership (OGP). These recommendations form the right to information chapter of the […]

Ghana: AFIC and GRIC demand Strong ATI Law

AFIC and the Ghana Right to Information Coalition (GRIC) have issued a joint statement urging Ghana’s Parliament to adopt a law that reflects regional and International standards. The statement came a week after the Parliament published the version the Bill that has been tabled for debate. The statement acknowledges the will of the Government of […]

FOI Law: AFIC Congratulates Sierra Leone

African Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC) together with its membership of 27 civil society organizations from 18 African countries congratulates the Government, Parliament and people of Sierra Leone upon the adoption of Freedom of Information (FOI) law. This adoption demonstrates Government’s commitment to transparency and confirms that a lot can be achieved if Governments constructively […]

Zambia: Activists Re-energise APAI Campaign

An Action Conference on Access to Information was opened this morning in Lusaka, Zambia by the Country’s Minister of Information and Broadcasting. He reaffirmed Zambia’s commitment to pass an FOI law. This conference- which brings together approximately 150 right to information stakeholders from government, civil society, media, private sector, academia, donor community, regional and international […]

OGP: Africa’s first regional meeting kicks-off in Mombasa

The Open Government Partnership Africa Regional Meeting is currently underway at the Serena Beach Hotel, Mombasa, with representatives from 16 countries in attendance. This is the first OGP Africa Regional Meeting that has attracted a wide variety of Participants and Speakers who include OGP participating governments,Civil society activists, Academia, Multilateral institutions and other interested actors […]

Secrecy on the wane in Africa

There has been an explosion in access to information legislation since the turn of the millennium with an unprecedented number of right to information laws being adopted. Worldwide there were just 12 laws in place at the beginning of 2000 but by the end of the decade there were over eighty, although only five were […]

Rwanda: Progressive Access to Information Law adopted

ARTICLE 19 welcomes a comprehensive new access to information law, which came into effect in Rwanda yesterday (11th March 2013). This is a positive step by the Rwandan Government, which must be given full effect. This passage of this law shows that the Rwandan government is keen to entrench transparency and accountability as well as […]

OGP: African Nations Commit to New Levels of Transparency

The Open Government Partnership (OGP) boasts some pretty lofty and much-needed goals. The global initiative aims to secure concrete commitments from governments to promote transparency, empower citizens, fight corruption, and harness new technologies to strengthen governance. It was officially launched September 20, 2011 by eight founding governments: Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, Norway, Philippines, South Africa, United […]

ACHPR Re-appoints Pansy Tlakula as Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information

The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Right (ACHPR) has reappointed Commissioner Pansy Tlakula as its Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa for another two years. Pansy Tlakula was reappointed on November 5, 2013 by Resolution 247 titled “Resolution on the Renewal of the Mandate of the Special Rapporteur […]

Global Right to Information Publication Launched

Africa Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC) is pleased to join the Freedom of Information Advocates Network (FOIAnet) in launching a major global analysis of the development of the right to information (RTI) movement, broken down by region. The publication follows FOIAnet’s celebration of its 10th anniversary on International Right to Know Day, 28 September 2012. […]

National Security and ATI Principles Released

The question of how to ensure public access to government information without jeopardizing legitimate efforts to protect people from national security threats is the focus of a new set of global principles being unveiled today. The new Global Principles on National Security and the Right to Information (Tshwane Principles) are the result of over two […]

Africa: First Outreach Meeting rallies Support for OGP

The first Open Government Partnership (OGP) Africa regional meeting was hosted by the Government of Kenya from May 29-30, 2013 at the Coastal City of Mombasa. The meeting aimed at outlining an Africa agenda for open governance, promoting OGP in Africa and sharing and learning from experiences in open governance from different parts of the […]

OGP in Africa: Civil Society Organizations Share Experiences

The Africa Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC), in collaboration with the World Bank Institute, has organized a video conference for civil society organizations (CSOs) from the five Open Government Partnership (OGP) countries in Africa (Ghana, Liberia, Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa). The aim of the VC was to facilitate knowledge sharing and peer support for OGP […]

Francophonie: AFIC Urges Adoption of ATI Frameworks

The Africa Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC) has called on Heads of State and Government of La Francophonie to consider adoption frameworks that promote citizens’ right to information during their summit in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo from 12-14 October 2012. The call is contained in the Kinshasa Declaration adopted at the end of a […]

Zambia: Reflecting on access to information legislation

Despite the absence of widespread documented evidence on the benefits of access to information (ATI) legislation, its role in advancing the progress of open democracy in countries where the legislation exists cannot be disputed. ATI legislation, appeals to objectives that are directed at good-governance constants of transparency, accountability and informed public participation, which underpin sound […]

African Commission Commends AFIC

The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa, Advocate Pansy Tlakula has commended Africa Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC) and other civil society organisations for the work the organisation is doing in promoting the right to information in Africa. Advocate Tlakula was presenting […]

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