By Loyce Kyogabirwe|
The United Nations (UN) has recognised data as a key factor for achieving and monitoring sustainable development. Indeed, the push for open data that contributes to government transparency and accountability and promotes citizens’ right to information and innovation through the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector continues to gain prominence globally, including in Africa.
In Uganda, the government is geared towards contributing to the emerging data revolution for sustainable development. Since 2016, the country has been party to the African Charter of Statistics and is also working to implement the UN Fundamental Principles of National Official Statistics as well as the Cape Town Action Plan. Uganda has also developed the National Development Plan and is party to regional development agendas such as Agenda 2063 and the East African Community’s Vision 2050.
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Tag: Uganda
CIPESA Engages Ugandan Members of Parliament on Implementation of Access to Information Law
By Loyce Kyogabirwe |
It is 12 years since Uganda passed an access to information law with the purpose of promoting transparency and accountability in all organs of the state by providing the public with timely, accessible and accurate information. The law also empowers the public to scrutinise and to participate in government decisions. However, the law has remained largely unimplemented as many Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) ignore citizens’ requests for information and rarely release information pro-actively, which contravenes the law.
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What Must Change?” For More Gender Equality Online
Storify |
This International Women’s Month, we reflect on what presently shapes women’s participation in the online arena. On International Women’s Day, 8 March, we hosted Akina Mama Wa Afrika, Women of Uganda Network (WOUGNET), Connecting Voices of Citizens (CVC) and the Ask Your Government (Uganda) online portal in an online Twitter chat during which we asked “What must change?” to enable a more inclusive online community which recognises gender equity.
See some highlights from the chat here
A Year In Review 2015: ICT4Democracy In East Africa
The intersection of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and civic engagement continues to gain popularity as more citizens adopt the use of tools to engage with each other, and with civic organisations and the state. While empirical evidence suggests that the rate at which this is happening remains debatable, the ICT4Democracy in East Africa network is using various forms of ICT tools to promote civic participation in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda and working to overcome challenges such as gender and geographical disparity in use of ICT.
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Publics’ Rights To Information in Uganda Commemorated
By Esther Nakazzi |
On September 28, 2015, Uganda commemorated International Right to Know Day (RTK) with celebrations marking the 10th Anniversary of the Access to Information Act (ATIA), which promotes the right of access to public information held by the State.
During the celebrations held alongside the 2015 Forum on Internet Freedom in East Africa, experiences, lessons and challenges relating to ATIA, which was passed back in 2005, were discussed. The event also served as the launch of the 2015 report on the State of the Right to Information in Africa.
The State of the Use of ICTs in Governance in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania
Edited by Nanjira Sambuli & Varyanne Sika |
Late last year, I accompanied the Executive Director of Mzalendo when she went to deliver awards to some of the winners of Shujaaz Awards. The awards were part of an undertaking that recognized efforts by Members of Parliament whose activities in the House had the biggest positive impact on the Common Mwananchi. The winners were chosen via public voting that was conducted through Twitter. Continue Reading →
ICT4Democracy in East Africa Participates in 2014 International Conference on e-Democracy & Open Governance (CeDEM14) in Krems, Austria
The ICT4Democracy in East Africa Network was in May 2014 represented by Johnstone Baguma of Toro Development Network and Wilfred Warioba from the Commission for Human Rights and Good Governance (CHRAGG) at the 2014 International Conference on e-Democracy & Open Governance (CeDEM14) in Krems, Austria. They presented research papers on the network’s projects on leveraging ICTs to promote good governance and human rights in Uganda and Tanzania.
During the conference, Baguma chaired a session on “Citizens’ Participation in Governance Processes through ICT in Eastern Africa”. This track was a new inclusion in the conference proceedings, having been lobbied for inclusion by network members during CeDem2013.
Uganda’s Assurances on Social Media Monitoring Ring Hollow.
The Uganda Government’s attempt to reassure citizens that its plans to monitor social media users were not intended to curb internet rights has failed to assuage fears that authorities are clamping down on free expression of the burgeoning Uganda online community.
For one, observers say Uganda has a bad record as far as respecting citizens’ right to free expression is concerned. And this record seems to be getting worse. Secondly, the country has precedents in recent years, when the government ordered clampdowns on the citizens’ right to seek, receive, and impart information through digital technologies.
The week in Uganda Parliament : 1st – 5th April, 2013
Plenary |
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| MOVER | SUBJECT | BRIEF ABOUT SUBJECT | ACTION |
| April 2, 2013 | |||
| Hon. Matia kasaija (MP Buyanja County )Minister of State for Finance(Planning) | Laying of papers | Uganda Vision 2040 | Referred to the Committee of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to work in conjunction with the Budget Committee. |
| Hon. Sabiti Jack (MP, Rukiga County) Chairperson of the Local Governments Accounts Committee. | Laying of papers | Financial statements for the year ended 30th June 2011 together with the report and opinion thereon by the Auditor-General for the following; Kotido District Local Government, Kotido Town Council, Abim District Local Government, Abim Town Council, Nakapiripirit District Local Government, Nakapiripirit Town Council, Jinja District Local Government, Jinja Municipal Council, Kakira Town Council, Buwenge Town Council, Butembe Town Council, Bulambuli District Local Government, Gulu District Local Government, Gulu Municipal Council, Kumi District Local Government, Kumi Town Council, Fort Portal Municipal Council, Katakwi District Local Government, Katakwi Town Council, Wakiso District Local Government, Wakiso Town Council,Entebbe Municipal Council, Moroto District Local Government, Moroto Municipal Council, Bukedea District Local Government and Bukedea Town Council. | Reports referred to the Committee of Local Government Accounts for scrutiny. |
| Hon. James Baba (Ex-officio) Minister of State for Internal Affairs. | Bills seconds reading The Public Order Management Bill, 2011 | The bill seeks to provide for regulation of public meetings, the duties and responsibilities of the police, the organisers and participants in relation to public meetings, to prescribe measures for safeguarding public order without compromising the principles of democracy, freedom of association and freedom of speech. | Members debated the bill. |
| April 3, 2013 | |||
| Hon. Awong Ahmed(MP Koboko County) | Laying of papers | Financial statements for the year ended 30th June 2011 together with the report and opinion thereon by the Auditor-General for the following; Serere District Local Government, Serere Town Council, Amuria District Local Government, Amuria Town Council, Lugazi Town Council, Buikwe District Local Government, Buikwe Town Council, Amudat District Local Government, Amudat Town Council, Namayingo District Local Government, Namayingo Town Council, Soroti District Local Government, Soroti Municipal Council, Busia District Local Government, Busia Municipal Council, Kampala City Council-Nakawa Division, Kampala City Council-Central Division, Kampala City Council-Headquarters, Kampala City Council-Makindye ,Kampala City Council-Kawempe, Kibaale town Council, Mpondwe Lhubiriha Town Council, Buliisa Town Council, Kibuku District Local Government, Kyenjojo District Local Government, Otuke District Local Government, Buvuma District Local Government, Bundibugyo Town Council, Masindi District Local Government and Maracha District Local Government. | Reports referred to the Committee of Local Government Accounts for scrutiny. |
| Hon. James Baba (Ex-officio) Minister of State for Internal Affairs. | Bills seconds reading The Public Order Management Bill, 2011 | The bill seeks to provide for regulation of public meetings, the duties and responsibilities of the police, the organisers and participants in relation to public meetings, to prescribe measures for safeguarding public order without compromising the principles of democracy, freedom of association and freedom of speech. | Debate concluded. Parliament considers bill at the committee stage. Consideration of bill deferred. |
| Hon. Stephen Mukitale (MP Buliisa County) Chairperson Committee of National Economy. | Presentation, consideration and adoption of the report of the Committee of National Economy to borrow from the European Union. | Government intends to borrow Euro 55 million for financing the widening and improvement of the Kampala Northern Bypass and the construction of the Mbarara Bypass. | Presentation of report deferred |
| April 4, 2013 | |||
| Hon. Gabriel Ajedra(MP)Minister of state for Finance(Investment) | Laying of papers | Request to borrow UA 67 million from the African Development Fund(AFDB) of the African Development Bank Group for financing the support to Higher Education, Science and Technology Project(HEST) | Request committed to Committee of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. |
| Hon. Kahinda Otafiire(MP)Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs. | Laying of papers | The 15th annual report of the Uganda Human Rights Commission, 2012. | Report committed to the Committee of Human Rights |
| Hon. Florence Namayanja(MP Bukoto County East) | Laying of papers | Financial statements for the year ended 30th June 2011 together with the report and opinion thereon by the Auditor-General for the following; Kamuli District Local Government, Luuka District Local Government, Iganga District Local Government, Kaliro District Local Government, Bugiri District Local Government, Buyende Town Council, Kayunga District Local Government, Kayunga Town Council, Kamwenge Town Council, Namutumba Town Council, Bugembe Town Council,Buyende Town Council, Dokolo District Local Government, Kiryadongo District Local Government, Kaliro Town Council, Kalongo Town Council, Bududa District Local Government, Koboko District Local Government, Koboko District Local Government, Nakasongola Town Council, Luwero District Local Government, Amuru District Local Government, Kyegegwa District Local Government, Amolatar Town Council, Kaabong Town Council, Napak-Lorengechora Town Council, Ngora Town Council, Apac District Local Government, Lamwo District Local Government, Kasese District Local Government, Nwoya District Local Government, Yumbe District Local Government, Pader District Local Government, Nebbi District Local Government, Zombo Town Council and Adjumani District Local Government. | Reports committed to the Committee of Local Government Accounts for scrutiny. |
| Hon. Paul Mwiru(MP, Jinja Municipality East) | Question for oral answer to the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic on the Road Fund Act, 2008. | Hon. Gabriel Ajedra, Minister of State for Finance responds; since the coming into effect of the Road Fund Act, fuel levies have not been collected. What has been collected is excise tax and in accordance with the URA Act, the funds are remitted to URA account. | |
| Hon. Dr Bayigga Lulume (MP, Buikwe County South) | Question for oral answer to the Minister of Health on tuberculosis disease burden in Uganda. | Hon. Christine Ondoa, Minister for Health responds; There is an improvement in laboratory system to detect more cases and there is a first and second line of treatment available in the country. There are five centres that have started the treatment for the multi-drug resistance Tuberculosis in the country and there are plans to scale this up to all the 13 regional referral hospitals and some of the general hospitals. | |
| Hon. Monica Amoding(MP, National Youth MP) | Motion seeking leave of Parliament to introduce a private members bill. | Rules of Procedure provide that a Private Members Bill shall be introduced first by way of a motion seeking leave of Parliament; every Member of Parliament has a right to move a Private Members Bill; member seeks leave to introduce the National Youth Enterprise Fund Bill, 2013 | Motion approved |
| Hon. Jack Wamanga-Wamai(MP, Mbale Municipality) | Presentation of petition | The petition is by civil servants of Mbale district who are trying to purchase former pool houses under a mortgage scheme run by Housing Finance bank. The petitions say that the bank is trying to sell the houses behind their back. They are seeking Parliament intervention in the matter. | Petition referred to Committee of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. |
| Hon. Kahinda Otafiire,(MP ) Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs | The Marriage and Divorce Bill, 2009 | The object of the bill is to reform and consolidate the law relating to marriage, separation and divorce provide for the types of recognized marriages in Uganda, marital rights and duties, recognition of cohabitation in relation to property rights, grounds for breakdown of marriage, and rights of parties on dissolution of marriage. It also deals with widow inheritance and separation. | Members to consult further on the bill for three months. |
| Hon. Stephen Mukitale (MP Buliisa) Chairperson Committee of National Economy. | Presentation, consideration and adoption of the report of the Committee of National Economy to borrow from the European union. | Government intends to borrow Euro 55 million for financing the widening and improvement of the Kampala Northern Bypass and the construction of the Mbarara Bypass. | Loan approved. |